Product Quality and
Respect for Life

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We maintain strict control over quality, safeguarding the health of the cattle and the safety of our consumers. We often say that from the field to the table, we are committed to ensuring food quality and safety throughout the production cycle. 
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Food Safety

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Our rigorous quality and food safety management system is based on the Integrated Management System Policy applicable to all of our plants in the countries in which we operate and is aimed at bringing safe, quality food to our consumers.  

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All of the South American units are certified by an independent organization in accordance with internationally recognized standards for food safety management systems and recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).  

Integrated Management System Policy

 

To ensure that all the guidelines, policies, procedures and specifications of customers and consumers are followed, in all our production units we have teams specialized in Quality and Food Safety performing continuous monitoring.   

Our quality and food safety management practices and tools include: 

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Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)

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Standard Operating Hygiene Procedure (SOHP)

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Sanitary Operating Procedure (SOP)

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Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

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Sampling Plan

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Traceability Program

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Animal Welfare (AW)

Among the tools used in daily monitoring is a matrix of quality indicators, used to identify potential issues to be corrected in the process, as well as best practices and opportunities for continuous improvement to be applied in all our industrial units. This data is the basis for establishing targets, which are reviewed annually, or as needed, promoting the continuous improvement of the standards of operation, manufacturing and product supply in all its businesses. 

In addition to internal risk analysis procedures, there are daily monitoring and verifications, external audits for quality and product safety carried out by the Departamento de Produtos de Origem Animal – DIPOA from the Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) and equivalent responsible bodies in Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay, in addition to customer audits. 

We have our own laboratories, accredited and/or recognized by ISO 17.025, located in strategic regions of our operations.  In addition, we use third-party laboratories with the same level of reliability. These laboratories preform microbiological and physical-chemical analyses to ensure non-contamination by pathogens and the safety of the processed products, in addition to verifying the composition of the food with respect to proteins, fats and humidity.

We have traceability systems for our products, from their origin to the customer, and all our products and services undergo a labeling process that contains mandatory information about outsourcing of components, contents and substances, conservation information and allergen-free information. 

Our Estancia 92 and Minerva Angus labels also feature a QR Code that contains information about the product’s sustainable origin, animal welfare and quality practices, in addition to the environmental efficiency in production, the Eu Reciclo, and Renewable Energy labels. 

All units follow Good Manufacturing Practices and labeling procedures that allow products to be identified in the event of recalls. We have not had to carry out any recall procedures over the last year, nor have we registered any export bans due to issues involving food safety.

RA 1000

Our Customer Service channel is available at all times in order to clarify any doubts and receive complaints, suggestions and compliments. Our objective this channel is to be able to provide a positive experience to our customers, evident by the fact that we have been awarded the RA1000 Seal on Reclame Aqui.

Companies awarded this seal, according to the site itself, have demonstrated to their consumers the commitment they have with their post-sales, thereby raising the degree of confidence in their brand, services, and products. 

Organic Production

We have obtained global certifications that are specific for organic meat production in the Araguaína (TO), Barretos (SP), Janaúba (MG), Palmeiras de Goiás (GO) and Paranatinga (MT) units in Brazil, and in all units in Paraguay and Uruguay. Upon being accredited, these units undergo rigorous traceability controls that follow European Community Regulations 834/2007 and 889/2008 and the National Organic Program (NOP) of the United States.

All animals are guaranteed zero use of antibiotics, growth hormones and animal-based feed, in addition to high animal welfare standards.

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Animal Welfare

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Respect for animal welfare is one of the core elements of Minerva Foods’ operations. We do not tolerate abuse, neglect and mistreatment.  In addition, we follow the five aspects of animal welfare recommended by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC). 

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Nutrition

Sufficient food and water 

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Environment

Comfortable and pleasant installations 

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Health

Ensuring health, fitness and freedom from injury 

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Behavior

Expression of natural behaviors of the species

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Feelings

Free of stress and negative feelings 

Our concern begins at the point of cattle acquisition and extends to rigorous evaluations of handling and the application of best practices in industry practices and control of suppliers. 

In addition to following the laws in force set forth by the countries in which we operate, our operations are based on internationally recognized codes and protocols. We are guided by Regulation 1099, of the European Union; the Protocol of the North American Meat Institute (NAMI), of the United States; and the Traceability Regulations of the European Union and Chile. 

The Minerva Global Animal Welfare Policy expresses our commitment to ensure that animals (cattle, pigs, laying hens, broilers and fish) that are part of our supply chain are treated with care, dignity and respect. We also have the Animal Welfare Program that establishes a series of procedures and controls – on ranches, during transport to the industry, and in throughout the pre-slaughter and slaughter processes.

Our units in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina and the Cienága de Oro unit in Colombia are certified by PAACO (Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization), which follows the NAMI (North American Meat Institute) protocol. The average approval rate is 99.4%.

In the last year, we achieved an important advancement in our evaluation in indexes and ratings regarding this topic. We advanced two tiers in the BBFAW (Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare) ranking, the main international evaluation of animal welfare and advanced from “high risk” to “medium risk”, with a percentage of 56% compliance in the “Animal Welfare” block ” from the Coller FAIRR market instrument. We are currently in Tier 3.

The company relies on the effective performance of the Animal Welfare Committee (BEA) to enable more agile and assertive deision making. This group brings together leaers in areas such as procurement, logistics, quality, animal welfare and communication.

Get to know Our Guidelines:

Animal Welfare Policy
Download in PDF

Animal Welfare Program
Download in PDF

Animal Welfare Report
Download in PDF

Our Animals 

Our activities in the value chain mainly include the slaughter and processing of cattle. Pork and broiler chickens are used as raw material for some of our processed products and are also distributed packaged and frozen together with other proteins such as sheep and fish. Furthermore, through Minerva Live Cattle we operate in the transport of live cattle. All operations and business structures are guided by responsible animal welfare governance practices and strictly follow policy and program guidelines.

Functioning in the protein production chain

SlaughterProcessing Ingredients Distribution Total % of supply chain Countries

  Cattle 

97,43%

Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay 

  Broilers

1,34%

Brazil, Argentina 

  Pork

0,87%

Brazil, Argentina 

  Sheep

0,04%

Brazil, Paraguay 

  Fish

0,31%

Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay 

Slaughter

Processing

Ingredients

Distribution

Total % of supply chain

97,43%

Countries

Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay 

Slaughter

Processing

Ingredients

Distribution

Total % of supply chain

1,34%

Countries

Brazil, Argentina 

Slaughter

Processing

Ingredients

Distribution

Total % of supply chain

0,87%

Countries

Brazil, Argentina 

Slaughter

Processing

Ingredients

Distribution

Total % of supply chain

0,04%

Countries

Brazil, Paraguay 

Slaughter

Processing

Ingredients

Distribution

Total % of supply chain

0,31%

Countries

Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay 

We are committed to carrying out humane slaughter and stunning on 100% of the animals, regardless of their species, except those destined for specific markets with religious convictions. All raw materials of animal origin acquired for processing (broilers, pigs, lambs and fish) in the country, are guaranteed to be 100% stunned before slaughter. 

Batches of animals received at Minerva units are accompanied by a Statement from the Producer and by Letters of Guarantee, confirming non-use of hormones and antibiotics, in addition to a full description of veterinary medication used on each animal, respectively. 100% of the batches must come with documentation containing specific information about the animals that will be slaughtered, such as medication administration and the non-application of some anti-parasitic drugs. 

Supply
Chain

 

 

To engage and ensure compliance with the animal welfare policy by our suppliers of raw materials and ingredients of animal origin, Minerva implemented the “Statement of Compliance with Socioenvironmental, Compliance and Animal Welfare Criteria”. 

Verification of compliance with the guidelines is done annually through questionnaires and visits by technical personnel. 

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To assist cattle suppliers in the implementation of animal welfare, quality, and sustainability procedures, we have developed a series of interactive initiatives within the scope of the Laço de Confiança program. Among these actions are the events “Falando de Pecuária” which, during periodic meetings, address technical issues of livestock production, animal welfare assurance in all stages of the chain and topics regarding sustainability, such as deforestation, waste treatment and consumption of natural resources. 

Bond of trust

Furthermore, we periodically develop support materials for cattle suppliers in order to disclose the best animal welfare practices throughout the chain, such as the Animal Welfare Booklet. 

For suppliers of other raw materials of animal origin, we include animal welfare as a key requirement in commercial contracts, which may be terminated in cases of non-compliance with our policy. 

Get to know the Animal Welfare Booklet

Training 

Training of our teams has been essential for the preservation of animal welfare, as one of Minerva’s key initiatives. Our training processes are directed at all professionals, direct and third parties, that work with live cattle handling and cattle transport drivers. The corporate teams of Quality, Cattle Purchasing and Sustainability are also frequently trained through talks, seminars, workshops and national conferences.   

With the aid of independent consultants, these campaigns are designed to strengthen the animal welfare culture.

Last year, we conducted 292 training courses, with 486 employees participating and a further 1,419 third party personnel (drivers, farm and ranch workers). 

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New Businesses

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We want to improve our management methods, maximize opportunities and advance in the industry value chain. To pursue this goal, we have created a department devoted to strategic planning, with a focus on value-added business, expanding into new niche markets. 

Check out some of our businesses within the segment of alternative proteins, free from animal ingredients, that deliver our products with quality assurance to the consumer. 

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The Every Company

Formerly known as Clara Foods, this is a biotechnology company that develops protein products without any animal ingredients. The production process utilizes ingredients free of pesticides, antibiotics, and preservatives, and consumes less water and energy, in line with our strategy for sustainability. 

Amyris

Biotechnology company focused on the development of various products, especially in the segment of animal protein-free, reconstituted proteins, via fermentation processes, including natural fermentation preservatives that allow for significant changes in the process of beef storage and transportation. 

The process of developing molecules via fermentation is one of the most advanced and efficient alternatives in the search for a food production model with less impact on the carbon chain, thereby contributing to the sustainability of our planet.

Related Content

Sustainability
Report

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Indicators

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Partners

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