Minas Gerais implements an educational project for the transport of legalized cachaça

The first barrier was installed in Juiz de Fora, in the Zona da Mata, a boundary between Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Thus, it will be possible to guide cargo vehicles to transport only legalized beverages.

According to IMA assistant inspector Tatiane Pinheiro, “What’s legal deserves a toast” provides educational actions for the entire cachaça production chain. “In 2020, this project was created with the support and collaboration of partners, involving educational actions for producers, managers, technicians, future professionals, agricultural inspectors and assistant inspectors who are working, and also for bar and market owners. Showing the importance of selling registered cachaça”, she points out.

Since 2020, the institute has carried out denunciation operations together with the Civil Police of the State of Minas Gerais (PCMG) to verify the falsification of the distillate due to the use of fuel alcohol. By June 2023, the project had generated a 500% increase in cachaça registrations.

Inspection at commercial establishments seeks to ensure that beverages are offered in accordance with the legislation on beverages. To achieve this objective, analyzes are also carried out to verify that the cachaça complies with the stipulated requirements, so that it can be sold following the official standards of identity and quality.

Minas Gerais is the largest producer of artisanal cachaça in Brazil, with the traditional process of making the drink in an alembic declared as cultural heritage.

Today, there are more than 1,700 trademarks registered in Minas Gerais, around 1,000 more than São Paulo, second in the ranking. Salinas, in the north of the state, is considered the municipality with the most registered establishments, followed by cities such as Alto Rio Doce, Córrego Fundo, Bonfim, Rio Espera, Divinnésia, Lamim and Perdões.

“Cachaça contains normal chemical substances of the product, as well as in other beverages, but above the tolerated limit, it can cause damage and even death to those who consume it. Because it is a product that is ours and also a Minas Gerais heritage, the IMA aims to raise awareness throughout the state of the importance of regularization”, warns Pinheiro.