Brazil reviews regulations for artisanal raw milk cheese

Brazil is reviewing regulations for artisanal raw milk cheese production and commercialization. The Brazilian Senate's Social Affairs Commission is analyzing the impact of the Mercosur-European Union agreement on these standards. Producers and legislators argue that current Brazilian sanitary requirements differ significantly from international norms, potentially hindering the sale of domestic artisanal products, such as Minas Gerais' Canastra cheese, against imports.

In the state of Paraná, a new regulation (Portaria 317/2026) issued by the Agricultural Defense Agency of Paraná (Adapar) has been established to allow the commercialization of artisanal raw milk cheeses. Developed with input from Sistema FAEP, the measure sets procedures to prove sanitary safety, enabling the regularization of artisanal varieties and maturation processes of less than 60 days. This move aims to overcome previous regulatory obstacles for products lacking specific Technical Identity and Quality Regulations (RTIQ).