Company placed octopus and pota immersed in water and additives to increase weight

According to the Food and Economic Security Authority, the industrial establishment immersed the octopus and pork for three days in water, where salt and food additives were added.

The fraudulent practice, according to ASAE, allowed the fish to increase in weight in order to obtain a more advantageous economic benefit. In the case of octopus, it varied between 22 and 70%, in porta it reached 42% more weight.

18 tons of cephalopods that were destined for the national and European market were seized by the company that repackaged the product from another company.

Among the irregularities detected, there were also flaws in the labeling, which omitted data such as the freezing date or added additives. ASAE also found around 240 kilos of octopus, whose consumption date had been exceeded for around 1 year.

Therefore, the immediate suspension of product repackaging activity was ordered, an activity for which the company was not even authorized, and an administrative offense proceeding was initiated for non-compliance with fair information practices on foodstuffs, the introduction of products onto the market without identification mark and due to lack of food requirements.

To SIC, an ASAE source, he said that the addition of water and additives is permitted within certain limits, but that in the case of water, if it exceeds 5%, the information will have to appear on the label.

Among the fish seized, some were sent for destruction, and others will be donated after inspections to ensure food safety.