Percepção dos consumidores e conformidade da rotulagem de ovos de galinha do município de Barra do Garças e região

Abstract

Poultry farming in Brazil stands out for its growing egg production, but in Barra do Garças and surrounding areas there is still no registered industrial production, with the predominance of the informal market for free-range eggs by small producers in the region. The growing demand for detailed information about products of animal origin, such as knowing the origin, expiration date and safety standards, is essential to guarantee food safety. The objective was to evaluate consumer perception and the conformity of egg labels sold in supermarkets in Barra do Garças - MT. Between February and April 2024, 15 cards from 9 brands were analyzed. Although the labels met basic identification and validity requirements, significant flaws in compliance with legislation were identified, such as the absence of a manufacturing date and cold storage recommendations. Many packages did not have the batch number, Customer Service (SAC) or information about the absence of gluten or safe consumption, highlighting the need for stricter inspection. The packaging varied between plastic, Styrofoam and cardboard. Most of the eggs were category A, with the exception of two brands that did not meet the legal criteria. The survey also revealed that the majority of interviewees reside in Barra do Garças and are predominantly female and young, with a concentration of ages between 25 and 34 years old. The financial profile of participants is diverse, with the majority earning 1 to 3 minimum wages and having incomplete higher education. Consumption data shows that 48% of respondents consume eggs weekly, 28.3% daily and 10.9% rarely. The majority acquires eggs from conventional systems (85.9%) and buys mainly in markets (90%), with little relevance to fairs. It was observed that quality is the most valued criterion when choosing eggs (78.2%), followed by price (38.7%). Shell color is also a preference factor, with 45.7% opting for red eggs. Furthermore, 54.3% of consumers check packaging labels, focusing mainly on expiration date and quality. The majority (93.5%) store eggs in the refrigerator and prefer to consume them simply, such as scrambled eggs (56 responses), followed by fried eggs (48 responses). Regarding the method of acquisition, 96.7% buy eggs packaged in trays or sealed cartons, while 3.3% opt for single eggs. This data is essential for producers, distributors and regulators, as it provides valuable information about consumer expectations and needs. The importance of ensuring compliance with labeling standards and the need to adapt market practices to consumer preferences is revealed, aiming to improve the consumption of safe food and customer satisfaction in the Barra do Garças region.