A consortium of cheesemakers from Parma has filed a case with the European Court of Justice in a bid to protect the name “Parmesan” (or Parmigiano in Italian).
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So far the name has no legal protection and the cheesemakers, who have used traditional method of production for centuries, say that they are now under threat from cheaper rivals who do not produce the hard, dry cheese to the same high standards.
The cheesemakers have produced Parmesan under the brand name of Parmigiano Reggiano since 1996. Igino Morini, spokesman for the group, commented: “These producers are using the word Parmesan to make consumers believe that their product has an origin and characteristics which it hasn’t. To sell cheese described as Parmesan which was not made in the Parma area is fraudulent.”
