Santa Catarina revokes parameters that threatened Blumenau sausage

The government of Santa Catarina revoked the new inspection parameters that threatened to alter the characteristics of Blumenau sausage. The decision was published in the state's official gazette on Friday (05).

The text, which deals exclusively with Blumenau sausage, cites the need to preserve "legal security, coherence and regulatory continuity" and the risk of the previous change "generating a regulatory gap or disorganization of the productive sector".

The adaptation to Normative Instruction No. 4/2000 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock opened an impasse over the traditional recipe for one of the most emblematic products of German colonization in Santa Catarina. The revoked ordinance provided for adapting Blumenau sausage to the same levels, up to 30% fat, applied to the production of mortadella, sausages and conventional sausages.

One of the symbolic products of German colonization in the state. The traditional recipe for Blumenau sausage is made by hand with specific cuts of pork. It does not contain artificial colors or preservatives and undergoes artisanal smoking. As it is a moist sausage, when smoked and cured, the percentage of fat tends to concentrate and exceed the maximum level of 30% fat, even if the initial recipe was not produced in this way, explains Luiz Bergamo, co-owner of Olho Embutidos.

Blumenau sausage is an intangible heritage of Santa Catarina. In 2024 it received the Geographical Indication granted by INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) and only certified factories, in 16 municipalities, can name their products as Blumenau sausage. Estimated production in the state is almost 2 million units per year.

According to Bergamo, the repeal of the decree is the result of a joint effort. From the population, which was involved in defending the product and its historical value, to the business sector that came together around the issue, in addition to government bodies willing to engage in dialogue.

With the revocation, inspection is once again governed by Internal Regulatory Standard 23/2020, of the Integrated Agricultural Development Company of Santa Catarina (Cidasc), which considers the original characteristics of the product.

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Source: CNN