McDonald’s supplier in Brazil also uses this type of food, which is much less nutritious than original cheeses
In recent years, a new trend has gained strength in the Brazilian food industry: the so-called “dairy solutions”. These products, despite the name that suggests the presence of milk, often have a composition with a minimal percentage or even total absence of milk. This trend was driven by the crisis faced by the milk supply chain in Brazil.
Milk production in the country has faced significant challenges, leading to the abandonment of around 600,000 farmers over the past 20 years due to rising costs and reduced availability of milk. In this scenario, products with lower nutritional quality and lower prices emerge, intended for both food producers and final consumers. This reality is partly due to gaps in food legislation, which even allow the use of additives not authorized by Anvisa.
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A notable example is the dairy blends category, which has gained prominence in the market, with whey-based products sold in packaging similar to the original products. These dairy solutions have become an attractive alternative for companies looking to reduce costs in a context of rising prices for traditional dairy products.
Companies like Alibra, which specializes in dairy and non-dairy ingredients, have introduced products like Mozzana, a mozzarella-flavored topping designed to be mixed with real cheese, with the aim of saving costs. However, Mozzana does not contain dairy ingredients, being mainly composed of water, vegetable fats, modified starch, casein and various additives.
“Dairy solutions” are also present in fast food restaurants. Schreiber Foods is McDonald’s supplier of processed cheese. It includes at least three types of “flavored preparations” in flat, cheddar and mozzarella formats, products based on water, vegetable fat, cheese (unspecified), milk and many additives. It is not possible to know with certainty the composition of these products which are supplied exclusively to the catering sector and the food industry.
Shortages of traditional dairy products have led to opportunities to broaden the customer base for products such as dairy compounds, cheese substitutes, creamy toppings and more. However, the consumer often does not have detailed information on the composition of these products.
Regulation and inspection of animal products in Brazil are shared between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) and Anvisa. Milk derivatives are divided into three categories, with the requirement of a minimum percentage of dairy ingredients in the final weight. However, legislative gaps have allowed manufacturers of dairy solutions to use terms such as “topping” and “cheese flavoring” on their labels, even when the products contain less than 50% dairy ingredients or contain no milk at all.
The situation has become even more complex with the presence of unauthorized additives in many of these products, raising concerns about quality and food safety. While MAPA has ruled against the use of dairy claims on products without significant dairy ingredients, effective regulation and oversight is Anvisa’s responsibility.
Anvisa has convened a meeting with industry bodies and additive manufacturers in 2022 to address the expansion of these products into the market. The agencies were informed that they “have no support in regulations allowing the use of additives.” However, many irregular products remain available on supermarket shelves.
Overall, the dairy solutions trend raises important questions about regulation, labeling and food quality in Brazil. With the demand for more convenient and durable products, the food industry is seeking innovations that sometimes compromise the integrity of traditional products, leaving consumers searching for greater transparency and effective regulation.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
