ART and Artisanal Cheese Seal: How to Expand the Commercialization of Artisanal Products throughout Brazil

The market for artisanal foods of animal origin continues to expand in Brazil. Consumers increasingly value products with regional identity, traditional manufacturing methods and proven quality. In this scenario, the Selo ARTE AND THE Selo Queijo Artesanal have become important instruments to add value to products and expand marketing opportunities throughout the national territory.

Despite advances in legislation, there is still a lot of confusion among producers about when it is possible to use these stamps, which establishments can request them and what requirements need to be met.

In this article, we explain how current legislation works and what are the main precautions to obtain regularization.

What is the ART Seal?

The ARTE Seal identifies food products of animal origin elaborated in a handmade way, using predominantly manual techniques, traditional methods and raw materials of known origin, maintaining cultural, regional or historical characteristics.

The legislation allows certified artisanal products to be marketed throughout the national territory, as long as they meet the sanitary requirements established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and the responsible inspection bodies.

Among the products that can receive the ART Seal are:

• queijos;
• manteigas;
• Dulce de Leche
• mel;
• embutidos artesanais;
• pescados artesanais;
• several other products of animal origin provided for in specific regulations.

What about the Handmade Cheese Seal?

Embora muitas pessoas confundam os dois selos, eles possuem finalidades distintas.

O Selo Queijo Artesanal was created specifically to value cheeses produced by traditional methods, recognizing their territorial, cultural and historical identity.

Its regulation occurred through Decree No. 11.099/2022, complementing Law No. 13.860/2019, which specifically deals with the production and marketing of Brazilian artisanal cheeses.

Quem pode solicitar?

Producer stamps that have an establishment registered with an official inspection service may be requested, such as:

• Municipal Inspection Service (SIM);
• State Inspection Service (Sie);
• Federal Inspection Service

That is, the ART SEAL does not replace the health record of the establishment.

First, it is necessary to have a registration with the competent official inspection service. Only then can the granting of the seal be requested for each product that meets the legal criteria.

What Are the Key Requirements?

Although there are specific standards for each product category, some requirements are common to most processes.

Following are some of the major sites.

Estrutura adequada

The agribusiness must have facilities compatible with the activity developed, ensuring adequate sanitary flow, cross-contamination control, drinking water supply, compatible processing areas and adequate hygiene conditions.

Handicraft

Manufacturing must preserve traditional product characteristics.

The legislation requires predominance of manual techniques and full mastery of the production process by the artisanal producer, without mischaracterizing the identity of the food.

Quality control

Even though it is handmade, the production needs to prove food safety.

Isso inclui:

• raw material control;
• hygiene monitoring;
• cleaning and sanitation programs;
• Pest control;
• rastreabilidade;
• laboratory analysis when required.

Good Manufacturing Practice

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) remain mandatory.

The inspection bodies evaluate documents, operational procedures, training of handlers and records that demonstrate the functioning of the quality control system.

Commercialization throughout Brazil

One of the biggest advantages of artisanal identification stamps is the possibility of expanding markets.

After its concession, the product can be marketed nationally, respecting the rules of labeling, official inspection and maintenance of sanitary conditions that motivated the certification.

National Register of Artisanal Products

Certified products become part of the National Register of Artisanal Products (CNPA), maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

The register gathers official information on products that received the ART Seal and the Artisanal Cheese Seal, promoting greater transparency, traceability and appreciation of regularized producers. In June 2026, MAPA updated the official data of CNPA, reflecting the expansion of the number of certified products in several units of the federation.

Regularization is an investment

In addition to complying with legislation, regularization represents a competitive advantage.

Certified products convey greater consumer confidence, facilitate access to new markets, strengthen regional identity and add value to artisanal production.

However, the process of obtaining the registration and seals involves documentary analysis, structural adjustments, implementation of self-control programs, preparation of manuals, compliance with the requirements of the inspection service and specialized technical monitoring.

Nossa equipe pode ajudar

Our team works in regulatory consulting for agribusinesses of animal products, offering complete support for:

• Implementation of Inspection Services (SIM, Sie and SIF);
• Adequacy of sanitary layout;
• Implementation of Self-Control Programs (PAC);
• Preparation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Manuals;
• Development of standard operating procedures;
• Regularization of agribusinesses;
• Obtaining the ARTE Seal and the Handmade Cheese Seal;
• Adequacy of labeling according to current legislation.

If your agribusiness wants to expand markets and market artisanal products with legal and sanitary certainty, having specialized advice can make the process more agile, safe and efficient.