| Current Events |
| At Issue: Food Piracy |
| Made in Italy is all the rage these days, and international food pirates are taking advantage. It may be a convenient way for foreigners to raise their cash flow, but it is seriously hurting a huge Italian industry, with uncountable economic damage, destined to become even greater.One place food piracy is especially huge is on the internet. Websites offer counterfeit Italian specialties. The food board announced a warning. It seems that anything that looks vaguely Italian, has an Italian label, and a name that sounds vaguely Italian will sell will. Thus Parmigiano becomes Parmesan, and San Daniele Ham becomes Daniele Ham and Co. The taste and substance of the product may carry little resemblance to the original product, but that is unimportant. As the taste is compromised, the prices are more affordable. The items that are copied the most are cheeses and salamis. Also copied are wines, oils, peeled tomatoes, pasta, coffee, and balsamic vinegar. There are protection laws, but it seems that they are too easy to work around. These imitations are from all over the world. The USA is the worst. Also culprit are Canada, Argentina, Brasil, Australia, Japan, Germany, and Great Britain. Examples of products: Canadian robiola, South African grapppa, Californian Chianti, Marsala from Australia, Roman pecorino made with cow's milk, fake lambrusco, fake San Marzano tomatoes, fake balsamic vinegar from Modena, and Turkish olive oil. Culprits and products: USA: Pasta, cheese, olive oil, wine, salami, hams, peeled tomatoes, vinegar, coffee Canada: Parmigiano reggiano, Grana Padano, Parma ham, Genovese and Calabrese salami, Salame MIlano, robiola, stracchino, mozzarella Argentina: Parmigiano reggiano, Grana padano, parma ham, ham, pasta, salame Japan: Parmigiano reggiano Great Britain: Parmigiano reggiano, lavbrusco, olive oil Germany: parmigiano reggiano, wines |