FRANCE: Ban on rindless Emmenthal cheese is illegal

A French decree dating from 1998 that prevents cheese from being labelled as "Emmenthal" if it has no rind has been struck down by the European Court of Justice as incompatible with EU law. The Court said that under international rules (the Codex alimentarius of the United Nations) and the practice in other EU member states, "a cheese without rind may be given the name "Emmenthal" where it is made from ingredients and in accordance with a method of manufacture identical to those used for Emmenthal with rind, save for a difference in treatment at the maturing stage, which it is sufficient to indicate in an appropriate manner for ensuring that consumers are informed."

December 6, 2000

A French decree dating from 1998 that prevents cheese from being labelled as “Emmenthal” if it has no rind has been struck down by the European Court of Justice as incompatible with EU law. The Court said that under international rules (the Codex alimentarius of the United Nations) and the practice in other EU member states, “a cheese without rind may be given the name “Emmenthal” where it is made from ingredients and in accordance with a method of manufacture identical to those used for Emmenthal with rind, save for a difference in treatment at the maturing stage, which it is sufficient to indicate in an appropriate manner for ensuring that consumers are informed.”

By Alan Osborn, just-food.com correspondent