On December 27, 2021, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) issued Regulation No. 494 through the official gazette to formulate ham characteristics and quality technical regulations.

The main contents of the draft regulations include: the definition of ham products, the requirements for the source of raw materials (Pieces of pork forelegs or hindlegs, minced meat shall not be used), the types of ingredients that are mandatory and optional to be added during the processing of ham, and the physical and chemical properties of the product (including starch, total carbohydrate, moisture, fat, protein content, etc.), ham packaging and storage requirements, etc. The draft regulation is intended to be applicable to domestic or imported ham products, and the feedback period is 60 days.