Italian hard, granular cheese called parmesan, also known as Parmigiano-Reggiano is made from cow’s milk and needs at least a year to mature. It is named after the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma, two of the producing areas. When you tuck into a bowl of spaghetti with freshly grated parmesan the next time, you might unintentionally be consuming a microchip.
Parmesan Cheese Have A Microchip!
Parmigiano-Reggiano producers recently took the next step to deter counterfeiters by inserting microchips into the casings of their 90-pound cheese wheels, according to The Wall Street Journal. There are Parmigiano-Reggiano counterfeits. Because it is the original parmesan cheese, which is lawfully protected by the European Union, only the genuine product may use the name.
A specific location in the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy is required for the manufacture of Parmigiano-Reggiano, as are precise production requirements and methods. Additionally, it must have aged for at least a year.
Parmigiano-Reggiano can be purchased for a higher price than cheese simply labelled “parmesan,” which is frequently available in the US and is typically an imitation of the original due to its well-known reputation for excellence.
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They Can Be Scanned To Retrieve Serial ID
According to the Journal, micro-transponders are silicon devices that are roughly the size of a sand grain. They are being put on the cheese wheel’s casein label, a food-safe label frequently used in the manufacture of cheese. After that, the microchip may be scanned to retrieve a distinct serial ID that buyers can use to confirm they are purchasing the genuine article.
Alberto Pecorari, who works for an association that represents Parmigiano makers, is responsible for defending the product’s authenticity. He stated that they are constantly fighting with new approaches and vowed to persevere.
The chips utilise blockchain technology to track the cheese wheel’s origin of the milk that was used in its production. The usage of the chips is also being considered or planned for by other sectors, such as the pharmaceutical and automotive industries.
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Along with French Champagne and Greek Feta, Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of many foods that are officially protected in the European Union.
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