Contamination of Backer Beers Was Not Isolated Incident, Report Says

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The final report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA), prepared after analyzing and detecting the presence of mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) contaminants in beers produced by Backer confirms the presence of contaminations since January 2019, ruling out the likelihood of this being an isolated incident in the brewery’s production history.

The document stresses that the substances MEG and DEG are not produced by brewer’s yeast under normal production conditions of the beverage. No such contamination has been identified in analyses conducted on domestic and imported beers. This type of contamination is unprecedented in foodstuffs in Brazil, according to the MAPA.

“The audits revealed that the Backer brewery deliberately engaged in irresponsible practices in using poisonous cooling liquids in its establishment, using them to the detriment of non-toxic alternatives, such as propylene glycol and potable ethyl alcohol. Contamination by MEG and DEG is not restricted to batches that have passed through JB 10 tank, but also occurs in beers produced prior to the installation of this tank at the brewery,” reads the document.

The report also points out several flaws and loopholes in the brewery’s internal management control systems. Incomplete information was detected in the production reports and inefficient traceability controls.

According to MAPA, the Backer Brewery continues to be interdicted until it can be shown that there are no risks to the production of beers on site.

In January, in addition to shutting down the Backer Brewery, MAPA immediately implemented measures, taken jointly with other gvernmental bodies, to interrupt the production and marketing of products contaminated by mono and diethylene glycol.

At the company’s premises and in the Minas Gerais market, over 79,000 liters of contaminated beer, under several brands and in different lots, were seized.

In Espírito Santo, the results of the analyses showed 9,047 bottles of contaminated beer pulled from the markets, totaling 5,428 liters.

At the administrative level, the procedures for determining responsibilities have already been initiated and, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, they are in accordance with applicable legal procedures.

Approximately 600 samples of Backer beers were analyzed. The presence of glycols was found in 36 batches produced over 2019 and 2020, in different concentrations.

Source: Agência Brasil