GREECE: Feta cheese from Greece gains protected status

Only certain regions of Greece may henceforth market its cheese as ‘feta’ after the European Commission confirmed new rules today [Monday]. The cheese has been awarded PDO status (Protected Designation of Origin). In June, the Commission had referred the proposed regulation to the Council of Ministers. As the latter has not made an objection within the agreed three-month consultation period, the Commission will now formally adopt the regulation.

October 14, 2002

Only certain regions of Greece may henceforth market its cheese as ‘feta’ after the European Commission confirmed new rules today [Monday].

The cheese has been awarded PDO status (Protected Designation of Origin). In June, the Commission had referred the proposed regulation to the Council of Ministers. As the latter has not made an objection within the agreed three-month consultation period, the Commission will now formally adopt the regulation.

Feta is a soft white cheese made from goat’s milk. It can now be produced “only in certain regions of Greece while respecting strict specification,” the Commission said.

Producers of feta-style cheeses in other regions, such as Germany, Denmark and France have five years to change the name of their product or stop producing it.