Mapa seizes counterfeit olive oil and beans with impurities

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) seized 6.031 bottles of counterfeit olive oil and 28 tons of beans with a high level of impurities and stones during inspections at factories and businesses located in São Paulo.  

The task force, held in the week of November 20th to 24th, aimed to combat food fraud, aiming to ensure food safety, especially in a period when food consumption increases due to the end of year festivities. 

In the action, 16.380 liters of imported olive oil were also destroyed due to adulteration being found and considered unfit for consumption. Olive oil is the second most fraudulent food product in the world, just behind fish. The most common fraud is mixing soybean oil with artificial colors and flavors.    

“Counterfeit olive oil poses a risk to the health of consumers, as it does not meet established quality standards. Adulteration of this product is a recurrent practice, and is a frequent target of inspections to ensure authenticity and food safety”, highlights the head of the Regional Service for Advanced Inspection and Combating Fraud Operations, Kleber Basso.  

When inspecting the beans, in addition to the high level of impurities, including stones, which put consumers' health at risk and compromised the integrity of the product, the presence of soy was also found in the mixture.  

“It is important to highlight that the undeclared presence of soy, an allergen, in products such as beans can pose health risks and, therefore, rapid intervention was necessary”, adds Basso. 

The packaging company responsible was inspected and the establishment was notified and must comply with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices. The products will be subjected to analysis and the brands involved will be announced after a final report. 

The Ministry of Agriculture reinforces its commitment to food quality and safety, acting firmly against fraudulent practices that compromise consumer trust. 

The joint action, coordinated by the Department of Inspection of Products of Plant Origin, included the participation of federal agricultural tax auditors and agents of agricultural activities from the states of the Federal District, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais and Piauí