Health Hazard: Prosecutor Demands $10 Million Fine from Grupo Mateus for Hygiene Failures

The Public Prosecutor's Office of Maranhão is demanding a R$ 10 million fine from the supermarket chain Grupo Mateus S.A. for collective moral damages. This action follows inspections that uncovered severe hygiene failures, including the presence of insects, larvae, and rodents in food storage and handling areas across at least eight of the company's stores in São Luís, the state capital.

Technical reports detailed findings such as expired food, moldy products, and deteriorated packaging. Inadequate food storage was also noted, with meats, dairy, fish, and frozen goods kept at temperatures that violated sanitary norms. The prosecutor's office stated that these conditions have continuously exposed an indeterminate number of consumers to concrete risks to their health, safety, and physical integrity.

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The situation has continuously exposed an indeterminate number of consumers to concrete risks to their health, safety, and physical integrity, a circumstance that demonstrates the persistence of illicit practices and the inadequacy of the measures adopted.

According to the prosecutor Alineide Martins, the situation has persisted for approximately two years, despite successive inspections. Grupo Mateus S.A., a major retailer with 282 stores across nine Brazilian states, particularly in the North and Northeast regions, has not commented on the accusations. The company stated it would "respond within the legal deadline."

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will respond within the legal deadline