MP-RS identifies new case of milk adulteration.
The Public Prosecutor's Office of Rio Grande do Sul (MP-RS) launched another phase of Operation Leite Compen$ado in Três de Maio, in the northwest of the state, to dismantle a milk adulteration scheme. According to the investigations, a 31-year-old transporter, arrested in the act for illegal possession of a firearm, heads a gang composed of his wife and two nephews, who are the group's drivers.
From Agência Brasil
Brasilia - The Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul (MP-RS) launched today (7) in Três de Maio, in the northwest of the state, another stage of Operation Leite Compen$ado to dismantle a milk adulteration scheme. According to investigations, a 31-year-old transporter, arrested in flagrante for illegal possession of a weapon, heads a gang composed of his wife and two nephews, who are the group's drivers.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the group added chemicals to raw milk to mask the added water, increasing the volume of the final product. This reduces the milk's nutritional value and poses health risks to consumers. Furthermore, the fraudsters also added hydrogen peroxide to extend the milk's shelf life, as the product is bactericidal.
The investigation showed that the group bought milk nearing its expiration date for up to 50% less than the market price and, after manipulating it with hydrogen peroxide, passed it on to the industry. The product eliminates vitamins A and E. Furthermore, in high concentrations, it harms the intestinal flora.
Search and seizure warrants were executed at four locations, resulting in the seizure of 50 liters of hydrogen peroxide, 100 liters of caustic soda, 12 kilograms of sodium bicarbonate, and 50 liters of an as-yet-unidentified acid. Three milk transport trucks were seized, and the material will be sent for analysis. The Public Prosecutor's Office cannot yet say whether the adulterated product was consumed by the public.
According to the MP-RS (Rio Grande do Sul Public Prosecutor's Office), the fraud was detected following a complaint from Laticínios Bom Gosto (LBR Group). Three reports from a laboratory accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply indicated the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which is prohibited by the regulations of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). According to the reports, two loads of milk transported by the company of the arrested man were rejected on October 12 and 15 due to the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, Comércio de Laticínios Mallmann Ltda also rejected a shipment on October 14th. In its report, the laboratory states: "We remind you that a positive analysis for hydrogen peroxide is fraud. By adding hydrogen peroxide, a fraudulent action to milk, the aim is to preserve its physicochemical properties, inhibiting the development of contaminating microorganisms. This type of fraud masks hygiene deficiencies in the milking, packaging, and transportation stages."
Edited by: Davi Oliveira