Açaí Pará Festival trains about 800 artisanal processors on good practices in fruit handling
Training reinforces care to ensure the quality and safety of Pará açaí, with the issuance of certificates and food handler cards
To maintain the quality and safety of açaí consumed in the state, the Açaí Pará Festival promoted, this Thursday (13), a training on good handling practices for about 800 artisanal processors. The action is part of the event's program, held by the Government of Pará, through the Secretary of Agricultural Development and Fisheries (Sedap), at the Hangar Convention Center in Belém.
The theoretical training was conducted by the coordinator of the State Department of Sanitary Surveillance, Doriléia Pantoja. During the training, guidelines were provided on ways to contaminate açaí, diseases related to inadequate hygiene, risk control, facility adequacy, and the correct processing stages of the fruit.
“We need to sanitize the açaí because there can be physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Therefore, it is essential to use protective equipment and sanitize from the first stage of processing — from hands to utensils and the environment,” emphasized the technician.
The course, which also included practical stages, was taught by teams from the Sanitary Surveillance of Belém and the State Department of Public Health (Sespa). At the end, participants received certificates, food handler cards, and kits with personal protective equipment (PPE).
One of the participants was Thamyres Machado, who decided to take the course to start her own business. “The idea came because of COP30, which opened our eyes to opportunities. And the best way to grow here in Pará is through açaí. We are already buying the machines and came to train to do everything the right way,” she said.
Program - The program of the Açaí Pará Festival continues until this Friday (14), with lectures, culinary workshops, tastings, and shows, at booths spread throughout the event hall of the Hangar. More information is available on the Sedap website.
The cultural attractions are provided by the Vingadores do Brega on Thursday and singer Pinduca on Friday, always starting at 8 PM. The festival is organized by Sedap, through the Directorate of Fairs and Markets (DFM).
