PACE GA : estudo retrospetivo de 48 controlos oficiais realizados a 8 estabelecimentos de abate

Abstract

Food health and safety is an irrefutable domain in the protection of public health, and it is currently a concern for consumers, government authorities and food sector operators alike. In Portugal, the Control Plan for Approved Food Establishments (PACE GA) was developed, with the purpose to verify that the establishments that work with food products of animal origin are compliant with legislation applicable to their activities. The aim of the present study was to carry out a retrospective analysis of 48 Official Controls, within the scope of PACE GA and former Plan for Approval and Control of Establishments (PACE), conducted at 8 industrial establishments of food products of animal origin, namely 4 of ungulates and 4 of poultry, with regards to slaughterhouse activity performance. The results showed that there was no linear progression in improving the performance of this activity between audits. The HACCP, the Hygiene and the Structures and equipment indicators were associated with the highest level of non-compliance. This study also suggests differences in the fulfillment of requirements between ungulates and poultry establishments. The conclusions of this study may have significant value not only for the industry itself, but also for the Competent Authority. Greater precaution and intervention in the fulfillment as well as verification of the requirements regarding the areas that have proved to be more problematic can consequently be reflected in the establishment of higher standards of food health and safety.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	Portuguese
Supervisor	ANTONIETA MARIA ALVARADO MUNOZ (Supervisor) & SONIA CATARINA DA SILVA RAMOS (Supervisor)