A series of operations in recent months in Portugal have revealed olive oil fraud, illegal slaughter activities, and water added to seafood. In May, the Food and Economic Safety Authority’s (ASAE) southern regional unit inspected the olive oil sector in Lisbon. The action targeted two entities with commercial links between them, who operated through social networks, in which the sale of cooking oil as extra virgin olive oil with Protected Designation of Origin claims was detected.
Two criminal proceedings were opened for fraud on goods, falsification of documents, and illegal use of geographical origin claims. Officers seized 450 liters of cooking oil, hundreds of fake labels, various papers, and other items worth €40,000 ($43,300) overall. Seafood and meat on the radar In April, ASAE was part of an operation directed at an establishment in Coimbra to verify compliance with the storage and handling conditions of fish and seafood products.
As a result of the action, more than 17,800 kilograms of fishery products were seized. Products worth an estimated €115,000 ($124,700) were destined for the national and European markets. Officials verified the practice of immersing products in water, intending to increase their weight, and adding salt and additives.
Inspectors found an octopus with no identification mark from the establishment that handled it and with a date that had been exceeded for more than a year. Other issues included no mention of the date of first freezing, in.