Donations of food without proper health certification, mainly of animal origin, to shelters for flood victims in Rio do Oeste and Laurentino, in Alto Vale do Itajaí, came to the attention of the Ministry of Justice this Monday (16).
The risk of contamination from food without a health certificate is a cause for concern during the floods in Alto Vale do Itajaí – Photo: Ministry of Information/Disclosure/NDA recommendation was sent to the Health Department of the two cities to review donations distributed to families staying at the shelter. If products are found to be in poor condition or unfit for human consumption, they will be recalled.
According to the MPSC, the Rio do Oeste District Prosecutor’s Office drew attention to the delivery of consignments of cheese and other dairy products without inspection reports from the competent authorities. In addition to the health risks, the agency said it is prohibited to make products available for human consumption that have not been medically tested.
The decision was made by prosecutor Lanna Gabriela Bruning Simoni and aims to ensure the sanitary conditions necessary for consumption, based on the Consumer Protection Code and other laws prohibiting the sale of unsuitable products.
“Consumption of animal products that are unfit for human consumption can cause serious health problems for consumers (salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, taeniasis, cysticercosis, cancer, hormonal changes, toxoplasmosis) and even lead to death,” – the promoter emphasizes.
As a matter of urgency, the ministry set a 24-hour deadline for the health surveillance departments of Laurentino and Rio do Oeste to verify donations and collect them if they find irregularities. Failure to comply may result in other, more stringent measures being taken.
Warning of illnesses caused by contact with flood waters
During her visit to Tayo this Monday (16), the Minister of Health Carmen Zanotto closely checked the situation in health facilities in the cities most affected by the floods. Municipalities that suffered material damage or losses during the disaster will have to draw up documentation and submit it to the state.
In an interview with NDTVThe minister expressed another concern of the authorities related to the risk of contracting leptospirosis and other diseases caused by contact with flood waters. The Secretary made some recommendations in this regard.
Watch the video below and find out what
Disease risk from floodwaters is a concern for health authorities in Tayo – Video: Moises Stuker/NDTV
Source: Ndmais