Embrapa launches new and free publication on organic food processing

At the largest organic food fair in Latin America, Bio Brazil Fair/Bio Fach América Latina 2022, which will take place from June 8 to 11 in São Paulo (SP), Embrapa is launching the publication “Organic and Agroecological Foods Processed: Fundamentals and Legal Requirements in Brazil”. The document will be available in a digital version for access via QR Code during lectures with Embrapa researchers (see schedule below). You can also access the publication for free by clicking here. 

The unprecedented publication, in technical language, aims to clarify the main doubts regarding Brazilian standards for the processing of organic foods to those who intend to invest in this market. The document briefly analyzes the regulations that form the international and national legal framework, with emphasis on the Organic Agriculture Law of 2003 and the Joint Normative Instruction (MAPA and MS) nº 18 of 2009, which approves the Technical Regulation for Processing, Storage and Transport of Organic Products. “We hope that the information described in this publication can guide interested parties regarding the challenges and opportunities that are involved in the processed organic food market. There are many doubts about what is needed to formalize organic agribusinesses. First, the legal requirements for food processing must be met, such as obtaining a health permit, then there are specific rules for the organic segment, such as the use of permitted food additives”, says Rodrigo Paranhos, researcher at Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos and the main author of the publication.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Development (MAPA), in 2022, there are around 25 thousand organic producers in Brazil, but the potential is much greater. Data from IFOAM (International Federation of the Organic Agriculture Movement) points out that Brazil is the main organic food market in Latin America, but there are only 1,3 million hectares with organic agriculture in the country. An area smaller than that existing in Uruguay and Argentina. In the case of European Union countries, the proportion of arable land with organic crops has already reached more than 9%. The European Union intends to reach the percentage of 25% by 2030. “The path is long, but very promising for Brazilian farmers and agro-industrial entrepreneurs linked to organic and agroecological products”, highlights Rodrigo. 

Embrapa lecture schedule at Bio Brasil Fair 2022 

08/06 at 18pm – Arena Vivência 
Appropriate technologies for Organic Production: Enabling Agriculture of the Future. 
Speakers: Rogério Dias (Instituto Brasil Orgânico) and José Antônio de Azevedo Espíndola (Embrapa Agrobiologia)

10/06 at 17pm – Knowledge Arena
The rescue of cotton culture in the semi-arid northeast: Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte
Speakers: Sergina Fernandes Dantas (Sebrae/RN), Marenilson Batista da Silva (Embrapa Algodão) and Gabriel Rocha Kanner (Riachuelo / Instituto Riachuelo). 

11/06 at 11pm – Knowledge Arena 
Innovation, leadership and health and business
Speakers: Bernardo Rocha de Rezende and Mônica Fernandes (Greenpeople), Amauri Rosenthal (Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos). 

Service

Bio Brazil Fair/Bio Fach Latin America 2022

Location: Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion, São Paulo, SP.

Order date: from June 8th to 11th, 2022.

More information: Home – Bio Brazil Fair

To access the publication “Processed Organic and Agroecological Foods: Fundamentals and Legal Requirements in Brazil” for free, click here.