In a statement sent to Lusa news agency, ASAE stated that the operation carried out by the Specialized Brigade for the Industries of Animal Origin Products of the Central Regional Unit was directed at an economic operator manufacturing meals and pre-cooked dishes in the municipality of Sabugal.

The operation aimed to verify compliance with the legal standards applicable to this type of activity, within the scope of food safety and combating crimes against public health.

“As a result of the operation, it was found that live gastropods, commonly known as snails, from a third country, were used in the preparation of the meals, and that they did not contain any mandatory information on the label to ensure that the food is safe for consumers,” ASAE pointed out.

A total of 6,510 kilos of snails were seized during the operation, worth 13,793 euros, and the corresponding administrative offence proceedings were instituted.

ASAE stressed that snails can only be placed on the market after being packaged/labelled/marked according to the same rules as bivalves.