This Tuesday, the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) donated 565 items of clothing and footwear seized during inspections to people in need and prisoners, and will help improve the quality of school meals in Vila Real.
The goods were donated to the municipal company Vila Real Social, the local delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross and the Vila Real prison and will be distributed once the brands of the items, whether clothing or shoes, are declassified.
“Social responsibility is one of our objectives,” said ASAE Inspector General Luis Lourenço today speaking to the Vila Real City Council after formalizing the donation and signing a protocol with the municipality aimed at improving and monitoring hygiene conditions and food safety in school canteens.
Previously, these assets, identified during verification activities, were destroyed.
Now, according to Vila Real Mayor Rui Santos, they are giving back to society through donations, benefiting “especially those who need it most.”
For this procedure, ASAE has the approval of the courts and the brands themselves, and it is necessary to ensure that there are no new introductions to the market.
The purpose of the protocol signed between the municipality and the criminal police authority with specific competence in the field of economic and food security is precisely to guarantee the safety of the daily meals served in schools and to improve the services provided by the municipality.
“This protocol has a double meaning: on the one hand, it allows for partnership work between the services of the municipality and ASAE. This work will certainly lead to increased food safety for our youth and our children, as well as a better perception of safety with parents,” said Ruy Santos.
On the other hand, he added, “it ensures that errors are kept to a minimum.”
“We will learn a lot from ASAE, and ASAE will certainly also have a better understanding of the reality of our businessmen and our contingencies in the municipality of Vila Real,” the mayor emphasized.
Luis Lourenço said that ASAE, as part of this protocol, will strive to train employees associated with cafeterias to comply with legislation regarding the handling and transport of food.
“And this is very important, because we are talking about the safety of all our children,” he emphasized.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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