Operation seizes 20 tons of illegal cheese in MG; product would be used in cheese breads in PR

An operation seized around 20 tons of illegal cheese on Tuesday, 23, in Patos de Minas (MG), according to information from the Ministry of Agriculture. According to the complaint, the irregular product was being used as an ingredient for the manufacture of cheese bread in Curitiba (PR).

The cheeses were at different stages of processing, and were recalled after a complaint about manufacturing without registration with federal, state or municipal agencies. It was registered on the Integrated Ombudsman and Information Access Platform – Fala.BR. The seizure action was supported by the Minas Gerais Agricultural Institute (IMA) and the Military Environmental Police.

According to the government, with the verification of data from product labels, inspection teams identified two establishments in the city of Minas Gerais that acted as a network for the illegal production and sale of the product.

The Ministry of Agriculture also reported that, in the locations visited, inspectors found large quantities of cheese stored in unsanitary conditions and without any type of hygienic-sanitary control. Tampered federal and state inspection seal labels were also identified.

All products were seized, mischaracterized, discarded and subsequently destroyed in the Patos de Minas landfill.