Astra Foods Renews PAACO Animal Welfare Certification with Zero Non-Conformities
The result reinforces the company's commitment to responsible animal handling, continuous improvement, and international quality standards.
In early September, Astra Foods underwent an audit to renew its Animal Welfare Certification under the PAACO (Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization) standard and achieved an outstanding result: zero non-conformities. This achievement reflects the ongoing work of the teams involved in animal handling, transportation, unloading, and other stages of the process, reinforcing the company's position among Brazil's most rigorous operations in terms of animal welfare standards.
What Is PAACO Certification?
PAACO is a nonprofit organization based in the United States, founded in 2004, that establishes internationally recognized standards for animal welfare auditing. The organization certifies auditors and assessment protocols covering different species and stages of the production chain. For beef processing plants, audits follow the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) protocol, developed by scientist Temple Grandin, a world-renowned authority on animal behavior and humane slaughter.
What Does the Audit Assess?
The assessment covers the animal's journey from arrival at the facility through to bleeding, using objective and measurable criteria. Areas evaluated include preparation for receiving animals, unloading procedures, conditions in holding pens, access to water, the occurrence of falls, proper use of animal handling equipment, animal vocalizations, the effectiveness of stunning, and the absence of signs of sensibility on the bleeding line.
Documentation, self-monitoring programs, and team training are also reviewed. Any act deemed to constitute abuse results in automatic failure, making the achievement of zero non-conformities even more significant.
International Recognition
The PAACO/NAMI protocol is used as a benchmark by major global buyers in the meat industry, including food service chains and international exporters. For Astra Foods, maintaining this certification means meeting the requirements of more demanding markets and providing auditable evidence that good animal welfare practices are followed throughout the process.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
In addition to undergoing international audits, Astra Foods operates under the inspection of Brazil's Federal Inspection Service (SIF) and complies with Brazilian humane slaughter legislation, supported by a qualified technical professional and an animal welfare self-monitoring program. The renewal of PAACO certification complements this system of controls and demonstrates the company's alignment with industry best practices.
The Result Reflects the Team's Efforts
The performance achieved during the audit is a direct result of the commitment of teams working in receiving, holding pens, animal handling, stunning, slaughter, quality, and maintenance. Every stage of the process depends on trained professionals who pay close attention to procedures and are committed to continuous improvement.
The renewal of PAACO certification with zero non-conformities confirms that the company's working practices are on the right track and reinforces Astra Foods' commitment to responsible animal handling, quality, and the safety of food products delivered to customers in Brazil and abroad.