The rules go into effect in a few days

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A new rule for the sale and storage of minced meat will come into effect from November. The new changes mainly concern how food is packaged before it reaches supermarkets, to avoid danger for the consumer.

Do you want to know what changes and how it will affect citizens? So keep following the article below to clear all your doubts on the subject!

Starting in November, the rules for storing and selling minced meat must follow a quality standard.
Starting in November, the rules for storing and selling minced meat must follow a quality standard / Photo: informative

New rules for the sale and storage of minced meat

Initially, the change will mainly affect businesses and supermarkets. Therefore, all those who are enrolled in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply will have a period of one year to adapt to the changes, which will take effect on November 1 this year. Discover the new rules:

  • Each package of minced meat must contain a maximum of one kilo of food;
  • Immediately after grinding, the meat must be refrigerated or frozen;
  • If the producer chooses to cool it, he must keep the product between 0ºC and 4ºC;
  • Now, if you choose to freeze, you need to keep the meat at a maximum temperature of -12ºC;
  • It will not be allowed to scrape or grind small bones to mix them with the meat;
  • The use of industrial meat will also be prohibited.

All these determinations are present in the technical regulation of identity and quality of food, published directly in the Federal Official Gazette (DOU) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Breeding and Supply. The purpose of the changes, according to Ana Lúcia Viana, director of the Department of Inspection of Products of Animal Origin, is to ensure that consumers have access to quality food.

That said, the product must contain only meat, without using other materials in the composition, as well as not being able to leave the grinding equipment at a temperature above 7ºC. It should also be immediately cooled or frozen as soon as it is ready.

Still according to the note from the ministry, industrial meats cannot be used, as well as offal, commonly used to give volume to the product. In the case of meat obtained from skeletal muscle masses, these will serve as a mandatory ingredient for the manufacture of ground beef from November onwards. Meat obtained from bone scraping or other mechanical separations is also prohibited.

See also: NEVER put THESE foods in the microwave

What changes in supermarkets?

In the case of supermarkets, the rules for storing minced meat are similar to those of the suppliers. As for chilled meats, they should remain between 0ºC and 4ºC and frozen meats down to -12ºC. In the case of the fat percentage of the product, it must be a data reported on the main panel, next to the food shelf.

In addition, the main panel of the label must also contain the words “no retail sale” in font with highlighted format and colors, if the food contains more than one kilo. In addition to this, products that have already been manufactured before the eligibility period can still be marketed until exhaustion or at the end of the expiration date.

12 foods that shouldn’t go in the microwave

In advance, despite the fact that the microwave is an extreme facilitator of life, given its agility and speed, it is not always appropriate to use it. This is because, in the case of some foods, there is a large change in texture and even flavor, which may not be beneficial to the individual’s health / nutrition.

Also, in some cases, putting certain foods and materials in the microwave can end up causing a household accident. This can happen due to the high temperatures of the appliance, which can also cause a fire. Therefore, the foods that should not go into the microwave are:

  • Water (the boiling process occurs very quickly and can cause accidents);
  • Egg;
  • Grape;
  • Pepper;
  • Carrot;
  • Potatoes with peel;
  • Peeled tomatoes;
  • Sausage;
  • Sausage;
  • Tomato sauce;
  • Bread;
  • Meat (meat can only be reheated in the microwave for warming up, never for cooking).

Foods that must not be frozen

Usually, freezing food can be a pretty practical solution, especially when you consider the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This is because a frozen food, when properly prepared, can taste amazing.

It turns out, however, that the freezer experience may not be very good for certain foods. The important thing is that, just like the microwave, the freezer can be able to completely change a food’s texture, as well as its taste and even appearance. Therefore, the foods that should not go into the freezer are:

  • Fruits and vegetables that have a lot of water: there is a sudden change in consistency, so these foods will only serve for juices and vitamins;
  • Meat (when already thawed) – once the meat comes out of the freezer, only hot water is able to kill the microorganisms present;
  • Pasta (when already cooked) – when freezing a pasta, water particles permeate the consistency, which completely interferes with the taste;
  • Coffee Beans: Exposing the beans to a low temperature will undoubtedly dry them. Therefore, the orientation is always to keep in dry and dark places;
  • Eggs (with shell): Placing an egg with its shell in the freezer can cause the shell to expand. Therefore, it will be much easier for bacteria and other substances to get into food;
  • Cheese (soft texture) – this type of cheese should never come into contact with the freezer, because its taste will be completely different, as well as a horrible texture;
  • Geladinhos (chup-chup / sacolé) – placing an ice cream in the freezer, once defrosted, will only accumulate water and lose its flavor;
  • Already reheated foods – as mentioned, once some foods come out of the freezer, only heat can kill some microorganisms. So, never go back with a food in the freezer again.

See also: Will Foods Increase? Understanding Inflation Estimates

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