The Portuguese Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) has seized over 4,800 liters of wine and gin adulterated with citric acid during an inspection operation conducted by the Specialized Wine and Viticultural Products Brigade of the Central Regional Unit, in the municipalities of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Anadia.
The operation, focusing on the production and commercialization of viticultural products, resulted in the seizure of a total of 3,503 liters of viticultural products, namely 1,107 liters of white wine, 1,339 liters of red wine, and 1,057 liters of rosé wine, due to “labeling omitting mandatory indications, including unauthorized mentions, found bottled and labeled for market introduction”, the ASAE detailed in a statement sent to the newsrooms on Monday.
The missive also reported that “81,000 labels for use were seized, resulting in the initiation of the respective administrative offense process.”
At another economic operator, the organization initiated a criminal process for the addition of citric acid to gin, from which 1,330 liters were seized.
The mention of citric acid, which is not legally permitted, was also present in the product labeling and was confirmed in a laboratory analysis conducted at ASAE’s Food Safety Laboratory.
“ASAE will continue to carry out inspection actions, within its competencies, throughout the national territory, promoting fair and loyal competition among economic operators, while safeguarding food safety and public health for consumers,” the organization assured.
Notícias ao Minuto | 08:00 – 28/03/2025
