Parmesan cheese producers are fighting counterfeit cheese with new methods. But they will (maybe) end up in your stomach!
The next time you buy and eat Parmesan cheese, you might be ingesting a microchip without knowing it, reports the wall street journal. Indeed, the makers of the real Parmigiano-Reggiano, aka Parmesan cheese, have started incorporating edible microelectronic chips into their 38-kilogram cheeses. According to the American newspaper, the chips inserted in the cheeses are the size of a grain of sand.
Why the hell put chips in cheese? It is a method used by cheese producers to protect themselves against counterfeits. Genuine Parmesan enjoys designation protection within the EU. Parmigiano-Reggiano must be produced in a specific region of northern Italy, Emilia-Romagna, following specific production standards and techniques. The cheese is matured for at least a year.
Due to its worldwide fame for its quality, true Parmesan cheese can command a higher price than cheeses simply labeled “Parmesan”. Genuine Parmesan is recognizable by the Parmigiano-Reggiano label. Many imitations or even counterfeits of Parmesan cheese are sold all over the world.
How will the chips work? They are attached in cheeses to a casein label, a commonly used and safe food label. Each chip can be scanned for a unique serial number, allowing buyers to verify product authenticity. Thanks to these chips, it is possible to trace the origin of the cheese back to the dairy farm.
“We are continuing the fight with new methods. We will not give in,” says Alberto Pecorari, who works to guarantee the authenticity of Parmesan cheese. According to the manufacturer, it is impossible to remotely read or track chips inserted into cheeses if they are accidentally eaten.