Puras do Brasil Sociedade Anonima

completed

- 1 - January 11, 1999International Finance CorporationA Member of the World Bank GroupInternational Finance CorporationA Member of the World Bank GroupEnvironmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name: BRAZIL: Puras do Brazil Sociedade AnônimaRegion: Latin America and CaribbeanSector: Food and AgribusinessProject No.: 0093211. This project involves the expansion, restructuring and consolidation of the third largest Brazilian food caterer. The project includes, over a period of three years, the establishment of 380 new cafeterias, the renovation of existing facilities, the improvement of food quality and hygiene, the training of 6,000 workers, and the restructuring of management and information systems to enable the country-wide operations. 2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental and social review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor, and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s Technical and Environment Department staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:· solid and liquid waste disposal;· CFC-free cold storage equipment;· hygiene and best management practices for the handling of food;· employee safety training and emergency response; and· fire safety.Puras do Brazil has presented plans to address these issues and demonstrated that the proposed project will comply with applicable governmental and World Bank requirements. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.3. Puras do Brazil was founded in 1977 and today is the third largest food caterer in Brazil. Puras is currently present in ten states in Brazil with restaurants in 110 cities. Puras manages, prepares and delivers meals to the restaurants located within its clients premises. All licenses and permits required to operate the restaurant/building are obtained by Puras’ clients. Puras is required to comply with Brazilian regulations on occupational health and safety, and sanitary safety. Puras is ISO 9002 certified and is in the process of obtaining ISO 14001 certification.4. Solid waste generated at the sites is of domestic origin. Most of the solid waste is collected and disposed of by Puras’ clients. At some sites, Puras is totally responsible for the final disposal of solid waste. In this instance, Puras has an agreement with private contractors for the collection and final disposal of the solid waste according to local regulations.5. Cold storage equipment obtained and installed in the restaurants prior to 1989 are not in compliance with the Montreal Protocol for CFC-free equipment. However, all new equipment acquired either by the client or Puras will be compliant with the CFC-free requirement.6. Puras’ quality control procedures are in compliance with all local and federal laws relating to food safety and prevention of food borne illnesses. The restaurants are managed by nutritionists, who are in charge of food safety and of collecting samples for microbiological testing. Puras applies the Code of Norms and Procedures to conduct the collection of items to be sampled for the prevention of infections. The analyses are performed at independent laboratories. In the event of a food borne illness, Puras prepares an action plan which includes the evaluation of technical and operating procedures, training programs and technical visits. Potable water is analyzed at each restaurant on a semi-annual basis under the World Health Organization guidelines for drinking water.7. Puras training programs are directed by an occupational health and safety engineer. The fire safety programs include theory and practical drills. The procedural part of how to operate fire protection equipment such as extinguishers and fire hoses is provided by Puras, practical drills and emergency evacuation training are provided by Puras’ clients at the restaurants. However, Puras is responsible for the establishment of points of evacuation, and placement of fire safety equipment. The restaurants are equipped with fire extinguishers.8. Puras provides its employees with uniforms that includes hair net, gloves, and coat. During cleaning and preparation of food, every employee is required to wear this equipment. The sponsor maintains a medical control program of its employees, annual medical exams are provided, as well as an entrance and discharge medical exam. The accident rate is very low and records of accidents are kept by management.9. Puras’ assessment of a new potential location for a cafeteria involves the site location, equipment layout and safety, and environmental conditions. Recommendations for improvement are provided to the client.10. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines during the lifetime of the project by evaluating reports submitted annually to IFC by Puras do Brazil and by conducting periodic supervision.11. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that Puras do Brazil’s proposed project will meet World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines and host country requirements.