Grana Padano, rigged brands and maturations discovered in Veneto and Campania

Fictitionally lengthened maturation, false branding on common cheese or on a screened product were the main infringements ascertained in various Italian locations by the Surveillance and Protection Service of the Grana Padano Consortium, as part of the Happy Easter control plan, activated in anticipation of the increase in consumption for the holidays.
«We wanted to guarantee the authenticity and quality of the product on consumers’ tables in a period that can be considered at greater risk of infringements – comments the general manager of the Consortium, Stefano Berni – therefore the consortium surveillance service has intensified throughout the national territory inspection activities in distribution and catering”.
The irregular situations emerged in Campania and Veneto. Grana Padano was discovered displayed for sale with a declared maturation period of 16 months which instead turned out to be a few months shorter. In another point of sale, a sticker showing the Grana Padano logo had been applied to a common cheese and finally in a commercial establishment, a reticulated cheese was found on sale as Grana Padano Riserva for more than 20 months, i.e. even without the quality requirements set by the Production regulations for fire branding. All these packages were removed from the market and fines ranging from 2,000 euros to 13,000 euros were imposed on those responsible for the illicit conduct.