According to Notícias ao Minuto, after carrying out an inspection operation aimed at verifying compliance with food hygiene and safety rules and food quality, the authorities called for 106 kg of kid carcasses and 243 kg of lamb carcasses to be destroyed "which raised doubts as to compliance with the technical requirements" of other meats from the wholesaler.

Notícias ao Minuto reports that two veterinarians from the Directorate General for Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) confirmed that there was "absence and/or lack of legibility of the same, thus not allowing to ensure the traceability of the products in order to guarantee Food Safety conditions for consumers".

As a result of the inspection action, the respective administrative offense proceedings were initiated, with new steps being taken in order to verify the existence of products in similar conditions in other parts of the country.

In a warehouse owned by the same operator, located in Vila do Conde, "more carcasses were found that, because they were in the same condition, were seized and sent for destruction, since the health marks that should have been on the carcasses of lambs and kids also were imperceptible in their entirety, some carcasses still showing the presence of parts of organs that would not be admissible".

The withdrawal from the market of an estimated 21 tonnes of meat was ordered, which in the meantime had been distributed to more than 270 stores, with ASAE remaining on the ground, carrying out inspection actions within the scope of its competencies.

ASAE continues to verify compliance with the technical requirements of the products that are being marketed, in order to safeguard food safety and the public health of consumers, said the authority.

As reported by Jornal de Notícias on Friday, ASAE allegedly seized, last week, around 10 tonnes of fresh lamb and kid, in a warehouse that serves as the base for the Pingo Doce supermarket chain, in Vila do Conde.