Public Prosecutor's Office wants Aracaju's central markets shut down.

Sergipe 247 - The State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE) has filed a lawsuit against the City Hall of Aracaju, requesting the immediate closure of the city's central markets. Numerous problems were found in inspections carried out by the Fire Department, the Health Surveillance Agency, the State Environmental Administration, and the MPE itself. 

On the 14th, following the conclusion of a Civil Inquiry, the Public Prosecutor's Office for Consumer Protection and Public Services filed a Public Civil Action to compel the Municipality of Aracaju, Emurb, and Emsurb to take action regarding the irregularities found in the Thales Ferraz, Albano Franco, and Antônio Franco Markets.

In the lawsuit, the Public Prosecutor's Office requests, as a preliminary measure, that the Sergipe State Judiciary order the immediate suspension of commercial activities and the consequent closure of the three markets, until all outstanding issues are resolved and the premises are fit to operate in accordance with the relevant standards and legislation.

"Through information and referrals from the Public Prosecutor's Office for Environmental Affairs, we became aware of the lack of compliance with sanitary regulations and the precarious conditions in which the central markets of Aracaju operate," said Public Prosecutor Daniel Carneiro Duarte.

He explained that the facts were verified and proven, and that the Civil Inquiry file contains inspection reports from the Military Fire Department, ADEMA (Environmental Agency of Bahia), and the Municipal Health Surveillance, which repeatedly attest to the inadequate conditions for the sale of food, as well as the absence of preventive fire and panic control projects and lightning protection in the inspected locations. ADEMA attested that the aforementioned markets operate without an Environmental License and disregard CONAMA Resolution No. 237/97, ​​which deals with the sale of live animals in inadequate conditions and facilities.

“Emsurb also reported that there is no executive project for restructuring or reform for Thales Ferraz, Albano Franco, nor for Antônio Franco,” said Daniel. “If the Municipality, owner of the properties, Emurb, responsible for municipal works, and Emsurb, administrator of the Markets, do not address the problem in its entirety, it is the obligation of the Public Prosecutor's Office to take action in the Judiciary,” he stressed. 

According to Daniel Carneiro, "the lack of hygiene in the sale of products puts the health of consumers at risk, not to mention the danger to the physical integrity and lives of the people who work and frequent the place, given the imminent risk of fire."

According to the lawsuit, the municipal authorities must carry out the necessary works and acquire the equipment needed to adapt the aforementioned markets to health and safety regulations and fire and panic prevention measures. These adaptations must comply with the relevant legislation and the requirements set by the Health Surveillance and Fire Department. "The Public Prosecutor's Office requests that, in case of non-compliance with the court order, a daily fine of R$ 5 be imposed on the Municipality, Emurb, and Emsurb, and R$ 1 on each of their managers," the prosecutor stated.

Speaking to the press, the mayor of Aracaju, João Alves Filho (DEM), said that he will begin training vendors on food safety during the registration process before the Forró Caju festival, and promised to address the problem of drug use in the area. “We will strive to ensure these places are clean and well protected. Obviously, we took office just over a month ago and haven't yet had time to resolve all the issues, but they are all part of our objectives and we will address them,” he promised.

With information from the MPE Press Office.