ASAE Seizes Thousands of Liters of Wine in Portugal

The Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) has seized over seven thousand liters of wine in Gouveia, in Portugal's Guarda district, due to labeling irregularities. The seizure included 1,714 liters of rosé wine and 5,290 liters of white wine, which had already been bottled and labeled for sale. ASAE reported on Saturday that the labeling of these wines had not been previously communicated to the Institute of Vine and Wine (IVV), a mandatory step before any wine can be introduced to the market in Portugal or abroad. Authorities also confiscated 20,870 labels, with an estimated value of approximately 19,000 euros.

In a press release, ASAE outlined that the labeling process requires the bottler or distributor of wine without a designation of origin or geographical indication to submit label samples to IVV, in compliance with legal requirements. This control measure is designed to ensure transparency and legality in the presentation of wine products and aims to protect consumers from possible fraudulent practices.

The seizure took place during an inspection operation focused on identifying potential fraud in the production and sale of wine products. The action was carried out by ASAE's Specialized Wine Products Brigade from its Central Regional Unit, which oversees and ensures the safety of the wine sector in the country.

ASAE highlighted the economic significance of the wine industry in Portugal and reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying inspections in this sector. The organization will continue conducting operations nationwide to prevent deceptive practices and ensure that all wine products comply with the quality and transparency standards established by Portuguese legislation.

These operations are part of ASAE's broader efforts to reinforce confidence in national products and ensure that wine entering the market meets essential food safety and labeling regulations, which are fundamental to protecting consumers and maintaining the integrity of Portugal's wine industry.