When some people hear the word microchips, they prick up their ears and definitely don't think of Parmesan! Inevitably, memories of headlines like “ Gates: Microchip implants against coronavirus? ", " Microchip for all newborns? “, “ Microchips and corona nasal swabs ” or “ Are pharmaceutical companies starting to add microchips to medicines ?” awake again. One quickly thinks of wild conspiracy theories or feared encroachments on personal freedom.

Not Big Pharma, but Big Parma!

But stop! Before diving into the depths of internet theories, take a deep breath. This time it's not about Big Pharma and its supposed dark machinations. No, today it's Big Parma that's in the spotlight. Real Italian Parmesan brings technology to our dinner tables, and for a very different reason than you might imagine.

Culinary art meets technology, and it's for a surprising reason: cheese counterfeiting. With copycat products on the rise, authentic Parmigiano Reggiano is turning to an unusual but effective ally – edible microchips.

The complex production and the resources required drive up the price. A 40 kilogram loaf can cost up to 900 euros.

The phenomenon of Parmesan and cheese counterfeiting

Often referred to as the “Gold of Italy,” Parmigiano Reggiano has secured its place in the hearts of foodies worldwide. Its authenticity, characterized by strict production criteria and the European protection label, makes it a sought-after commodity. But this popularity comes at a price. Counterfeiters have jumped on the bandwagon to profit from the reputation of this fine cheese.

Real Parmesan versus imitation products

The difference between authentic Parmigiano and what is sometimes called Parmesan is like the difference between a Château Lafite wine and a bottle of table wine. Real Parmigiano is only made in certain Italian regions and must be aged for at least a year. Its rich flavor and unique texture requires 13.5 liters of milk, making it a high-priced product. Parmigiano, traditionally grated over Italy's popular national dish spaghetti, has gained the dubious distinction of being one of the world's most counterfeit food products.

For years, the consortium of Parmesan producers has had the demanding task of ensuring that no counterfeit products reach the market. With tireless zeal it defends the Europe-wide protected seal of quality against domestic competitors and imitators from overseas. The venerable name “Parmigiano” was documented as early as the 13th century. The meaning and value of this name are so great that it has been recognized as a protected designation of origin EU regulation (Note: The eponymous Parmigiano Reggiano has been protected with the DOP seal since October 30, 1955 and has been designated as a product with a protected designation of origin throughout the EU since June 12, 1996.)

Technology steps in: Edible microchips

To counteract this growing counterfeit problem, the edible microchip now comes into play. The US company p-Chip has developed edible microchips that are embedded in the rind of cheese . And although this bark is not typically consumed, the microchips are designed so that if accidentally eaten, they can pass safely through the human digestive tract. Previous approaches such as QR codes were unfortunately prone to counterfeiting.

Parmesan now receives edible microchips!
Parmesan now receives edible microchips!
Parmesan now receives edible microchips!
Parmesan now receives edible microchips!
Screenshots / Video > p-Chip Corporation
ClaimsFact check
Parmigiano Reggiano is increasingly being counterfeited.Correct
Parmigiano Reggiano can only be produced in certain areas of the Emilia Romagna region.Correct
The cheese must be aged for at least a year to be called Parmigiano Reggiano.Correct
A separate consortium, the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, monitors the production of the cheese.Correct
The microchips are placed in the cheese rind and are the size of a grain of sand.Correct
With the microchip, the production of the cheese can be traced using blockchain technology.Correct
The function of the microchips was tested on more than 100,000 cheese wheels.Correct
After three weeks, the microchip does not release any harmful substances in artificial stomach acid.Correct
It is not possible to track people with a chip in their stomach.Correct

Conclusion: The integrity and authenticity of Parmigiano Reggiano, one of the most famous cheeses from Italy, is threatened by cheese counterfeiters. The production of this cheese follows strict guidelines, including specific regional origins and maturation times. In order to protect consumers from deception and ensure the quality of the original product, the introduction of microchips in the cheese rind has been proposed. This technology, whose safety has been confirmed in extensive tests, allows the origin and authenticity of the cheese to be traced back to the source of the milk used.


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )