Michelle Obama tastes 'Grana' at Milan Expo

19 giugno 2015

1 min di lettura

(AGI) Rome, June 18 - Michelle Obama, like many other U.S.visitors, was finally able to taste the authentic 'Grana'instead of the imitation cheese, which all over the world soldmore than the real cheese in 2014. The information was releasedby the Italian agricultural association Coldiretti, whichcommented positively on Michelle Obama's cooking showdemonstration, where the First Lady used Grana flakes togarnish her dish. The choice is significant for the First Ladyof a country like the United States, which with its 150 millionkilos ranks first in the world for the production of fauxParmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano, dubbed Parmesan.Coldiretti informed that in the US market it is 9 out of 10times more likely to purchase Parmesan made in Wisconsin,California or New York rather than the original Italianproducts. Despite the similar name, the characteristics areprofoundly different as Italian cheese manufacturers mustcomply with strict production regulations, with rules foranimal husbandry and food processing that undergo unprecedentedcontrol procedures. Michelle Obama's choice is also importantconsidering the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership(TTIP) negotiations between the United States and the EuropeanUnion, which includes the protection of the denomination fortypical products. Coldiretti, in fact, maintains that the TTIPis an opportunity to protect Italian agrifood products fromfood counterfeiting and the so-called Italian sounding labels,a common phenomenon in the United States, as it represents theprimary food counterfeit market for Parmigiano and Grana. Theexport policy announced by the Italian government envisages,for the first time, actions against the Italian soundingmethods at an international level. .