Consumers’ perception of the “Arte” seal in artisanal cheeses

Abstract

The “Arte” seal is a certificate that guarantees that the product of animal origin was handcrafted with the characteristics of unique palatability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the consumption preference and perception of the “Arte” seal and inspection seals among consumers of artisanal cheeses. Through online questionnaires, it was observed that 99% of respondents recognize the seal of the Federal Inspection Service (SIF) and 57% do not recognize the “Arte” seal. Among those interviewed, 63% strongly disagreed with buying cheese without a seal, and 76% had completed higher education. When asked about purchasing a cheese produced with raw milk, 41% answered that they strongly agree that cheese produced with raw milk can cause an unfavorable effect on health. Finally, consumers chose cheeses visually with different stamps, where 98% opted for products with seals, regardless of the absence of heat treatment in processing. It is concluded that the recognition of the Arte seal and the inspection seals is related to the level of education of the interviewees, which can generate inequality in the perception of consumers in relation to the seals.