Parmesan cheese makers fight fakes by incorporating edible microchips
Parmesan cheese makers fight fakes by incorporating edible microchips
World
August 18, 2023 | 12:44 pm
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels now have embedded microchips
Parmigiano Reggiano, one of the most counterfeited cheeses worldwide, is taking a stand against fake imitations by incorporating microchips.
The cheese manufacturers have been testing micro-transponders, roughly the size of a grain of salt, embedded in the labels on the rind of 120,000 wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano.
These food-safe microchips serve as durable, scannable food tags, enabling consumers to trace their product back to its source. The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium (PRC) has been combating cheaper imitations for over a century.
Counterfeit Parmigiano Reggiano’s sales nearly match the original’s numbers
Parmigiano Reggiano has the European Union’s protected designation of origin (PDO) status. To qualify, the cheese must be produced in a specific region of northern Italy.
The wheels of cheese must be aged for at least 12 months in a mountainous area and are evaluated by experts two years after production. The stringent certification requirements result in higher prices, making it an attractive market for counterfeiters.
Notably, the annual global sales of counterfeit cheese nearly match authentic Parmigiano Reggiano’s sales.
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