The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal

Next time you buy parmesan, watch out for the microchip

By Eric Sylvers

17 Aug 2023 · 4 min read

informed Summary

  1. Italian producers of Parmigiano-Reggiano, as the original parmesan cheese is officially called, are using edible microchips to protect their product from counterfeiters. The microchips are placed on the 90-pound cheese wheels to ensure its authenticity.

Parmigiano-Reggiano producers are seeking new ways to protect the market for the world-famous pasta topping. Their latest trick to beat counterfeiters is edible microchips.

Italian producers of parmesan cheese have been fighting against imitations for years. Now, makers of Parmigiano-Reggiano, as the original parmesan cheese is officially called, are slapping the microchips on their 90-pound cheese wheels as part of an endless cat-and-mouse game between makers of authentic and fake products.

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