Okay, being a cheesehead myself, I understand the importance of good quality cheese. But I've never in my life seen anything like this, and to be honest I'm kind of jealous of the Italians here:
Yes, they're chipping their cheese!
And if you're lucky enough to be there when that edible microchip is shaved off onto a fancy dish at that authentic Italian restaurant, you might ingest one someday.
[M]akers of Parmigiano-Reggiano are implanting microchips into the casings of their 90-pound cheese wheels as the latest move to ward off counterfeiters, The Wall Street Journal reported…
The Journal reported that the micro-transponders are made of silicon and about the size of a grain of sand. They are being placed on the casein label, a food-safe label commonly used in cheese production, which is placed on the cheese wheel. The microchip can then be scanned to pull up a unique serial ID that buyers can use to ensure they've got the real thing…
The media makes sure to note this:
The Journal reported the chips cannot be read remotely or used to track someone should they ingest it.
The chips use blockchain technology and trace the wheel of cheese back to where the milk that was used came from. Other industries are also considering or planning to use the chips, including makers of drugs and car parts.
Quick question: Has anyone considered how the cheese might feel in this situation? I've not studied much on the subject of cheese liberty, but this one seems a little restraining.
Just a thought, no need to get the cheese police.
Anyway, what's so important about this cheese? Why does it need a microchip in there stomping all over its freedoms?
Yes, there are counterfeiters of Parmigiano-Reggiano. That's because it's the original parmesan cheese officially protected by the European Union, meaning the name can only be used for the authentic product. Parmigiano-Reggiano must be made in a particular area of northern Italy's Emilia Romagna region and with specific production standards and techniques. It also has to be aged for at least one year.
Because of its world-famous reputation for quality, Parmigiano-Reggiano can be sold at a higher price point than cheese simply labeled "parmesan," which is typically an imitation of the original and is commonly sold in the US.
Oh, okay, now I get it. They take food quality very seriously over there in Europe, and I can't blame them. I remember an article where the Europeans destroyed over 2,000 cans of Miller High Life just because it was labeled the "Champagne" of beers. News flash: High Life is beer, not champagne — but that doesn't matter to the Europeans; they only care to protect their precious Champagne because France is so special.
Well, now they've got microchips in cheese, which is, I'll admit it, pretty stinking cool. And I honestly can't wait to accidentally eat one at the Olive Garden.
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