In 2017, a significant incident affected food security in Brazil. A lot of rice “Favorite“, with the presence of dangerous contaminants, was removed from the market, as per guidance from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).
How did ANVISA identify the problem?
The discovery of the contaminants occurred after rigorous analysis by the Adolfo Lutz Campinas III Institutewhich detected rodent excrement in batch number 00204 of rice “Favorite“. The product was immediately recalled to ensure consumer safety.
Impact of the incident on the food sector
This episode not only highlighted the challenges of maintaining quality in food production processes, but also highlighted the importance of the role of regulatory agencies in preventing risks to public health.
The rapid intervention by Anvisa and the rice producing company demonstrated an effective commitment to consumer health and well-being, avoiding possible more serious consequences.
How important is constant vigilance in the food industry?
Incidents like the rice one “Favorite” serve as a critical reminder to the food industry about the importance of rigorous production and quality control practices. Consumer trust, essential for the success of companies, directly depends on the ability to guarantee safe and quality products.
- Continuous improvement of quality control processes
- Investment in contaminant detection technologies
- Partner with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with food safety standards
Episodes like this reinforce the need for constant vigilance and adaptation to new demands and challenges that emerge in the food sector.
The impact of surveillance on the consumer
The experience of the contaminated batch of rice “Favorite” made it clear that readiness and transparency in crisis management are fundamental to maintaining public trust. Furthermore, it is crucial that food companies invest in improvements in the production chain and in training their employees to deal with such adversities.
Incidents like this are, unfortunately, possible in any industry, but their effective management is what determines the long-term impact for the companies and consumers involved.
ANVISA operating authorization: how does it work?
What’s new in the Authorization consultation Company Operation (AFE) It is Special Authorization (AE):
- Advanced search: It is now possible to search for companies by state, city, activity or authorization class. Authorizations are granted through the head office’s CNPJ, but branches can operate if licensed by the Health Surveillance.
- Additional Information: Precautionary measures will be displayed (irregular products identified by Anvisa) and the possibility of detailing measures by clicking on “Precautionary Measure”. Current certificates such as CBPF or CBPDA will also be shown.
- Data Export: Search results can be exported to Excel for analysis.
- Contact information: The company’s website and SAC will be available during consultation, and can be updated directly by the company in the Company Registry.
Furthermore, in Operating Authorization consultation 2 for medical gases, the field “Product Area” will include both medicines and medical gases. A nAFE humeration for medicinal gases only seeks authorizations starting with the number 22but some will start with the number 1 due to the exhaustion of numbers starting with 22.
