MINAS ARTISANAL CHEESE, CENTENNIAL TRADITION: THREATS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The Minas Artisanal cheese is for centuries, the only link of small farmers with the market, ensuring their survival. In spite of the way of producing be protected by the Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage as intangible heritage, since 2008, the Minas Artisanal cheese is in the midst of an obstacle. On one hand, the state Law defines the regularization of their production and marketing; on another hand, a federal Law ignores the craft process and difficulties, even economic, of the small Brazilian producer. And thus the barriers to increasing production and marketing make these small producers remain illegally, selling this delicacy traditionally informal in the Brazilian market. This review aims to describe the aspects that led the Minas Artisanal cheese to be recognized as traditional Brazilian product and discuss the major threats and challenges that farmers have faced for leaving the illegality. Methodologically it was used for this review, research papers and articles related to the production of artisan cheeses, as well as federal and state regulations governing this production. Through analysis and discussion, it can be seen that although there are many rules and regulations by the government, information about the Minas Artisanal cheese, mainly regarding its safety for consumption, are still limited. It is evident, though, the need for joint action between government, academia and producers, so as to establish public policies best suited to the production of artisanal cheeses.