Evaluation of unsatisfactory reports of fruit derivatives of the Program of Monitoring Quality of Foods of the state of Minas Gerais (Progvisa/MG), from 2013–2015

Abstract

Introduction: Fruits are highly perishable and easily deteriorated, so the production of derivatives in various forms such as pulps, jellies and fruit in syrup is a conservation alternative. These derivatives must be prepared in accordance with the legislation requirements. Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the results of the unsatisfactory reports of the Minas Gerais Sanitary Surveillance (VISA/MG) of fruit derivatives (pulps, jellies and fruit in syrup) sent to the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa) in the period from 2013 to 2015, in order to identify the main irregularities. Results: We evaluated 25 reports (nine of jams in syrup, eight of fruit pulp and eight of jellies). From the analyzed reports, 100% presented an unsatisfactory conclusion for the labeling analysis; a jelly sample (12.5%) had artificial coloring not allowed; two samples of fig in syrup (29%) presented a copper content that did not comply with the legislation, and one of them (14%) had a lower carbohydrate content than that described in the labeling, indicating consumer fraud. Fruit pulps presented satisfactory results for analyses of histology and foreign matters. Conclusions: The irregularities found indicate that there is a need to adopt measures for companies to adapt their products to the requirements of the legislation.