Characterization of informal production of foods of animal origin in three settlement projects in Jataí, GO

Abstract

In the production of animal source foods, several processing steps represent risks of contamination that can result in health problems to consumers. The inspection and supervision of production by governmental agencies aim to reduce risks to safe levels, but health requirements may represent an obstacle to the legalization of production by family farmers. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the informal production and commercialization of animal source foods made by family farmers from three settlement projects located in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, Brazil. Eightythree family farmers were interviewed, of which 61.4% developed dairy cattle farming, 21.7% poultry farming, 18% pork farming, 10.8% beekeeping and 3.6% pisciculture. Milk production was sold to cooperatives (69%), local dairies (25%) and directly to final consumers (6%). All the pork and fish meat was directly sold to the final consumers. Chicken meat was also sold at municipal fairs (31.1%) and in local restaurants (8.9%). None of the establishments was registered in the official inspection agencies. Studies in this field are crucial to support the development of public policies for family farmers to enable the formalization of production and trade in animal source foods.