Fonterra Wins Legal Case on Parmesan Translation in Singapore
Source: DairyNews.today
Fonterra Co-operative Group, New Zealand’s largest dairy producer, has secured a legal victory in Singapore over the interpretation of the term "Parmesan" as synonymous with "Parmigiano Reggiano."
The decision overturns a prior ruling that linked Parmesan directly to the Italian geographical indication (GI), which restricts production to designated regions in Italy.
The legal dispute stemmed from Fonterra's sale of Parmesan cheese under its Perfect Italiano brand. The brand is part of the company's broader strategy to divest its consumer products division and focus on its core dairy operations.
Background
The case originated from a challenge by Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, a body backed by the Italian government responsible for safeguarding the GI status of Parmigiano Reggiano. The consortium argued that Parmesan was a direct translation of the protected term, effectively barring its use outside authorized production zones.
Fonterra disputed this claim, asserting that Parmesan has become a generic term in many markets, used widely to describe a style of hard, grated cheese rather than a specific regional product. The Singapore ruling supports this interpretation, enabling the company to continue marketing its cheese as Parmesan.
Implications
The verdict is seen as a significant precedent in ongoing debates over geographical indications and their enforcement in international markets. For Fonterra, it ensures continuity in its branding and product offerings, particularly as it navigates the sale of its consumer business units.
The decision underscores the complexities of balancing trade protections with global market practices, a topic of growing relevance amid rising demand for transparency and authenticity in food labeling.
The legal dispute stemmed from Fonterra's sale of Parmesan cheese under its Perfect Italiano brand. The brand is part of the company's broader strategy to divest its consumer products division and focus on its core dairy operations.
Background
The case originated from a challenge by Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, a body backed by the Italian government responsible for safeguarding the GI status of Parmigiano Reggiano. The consortium argued that Parmesan was a direct translation of the protected term, effectively barring its use outside authorized production zones.
Fonterra disputed this claim, asserting that Parmesan has become a generic term in many markets, used widely to describe a style of hard, grated cheese rather than a specific regional product. The Singapore ruling supports this interpretation, enabling the company to continue marketing its cheese as Parmesan.
Implications
The verdict is seen as a significant precedent in ongoing debates over geographical indications and their enforcement in international markets. For Fonterra, it ensures continuity in its branding and product offerings, particularly as it navigates the sale of its consumer business units.
The decision underscores the complexities of balancing trade protections with global market practices, a topic of growing relevance amid rising demand for transparency and authenticity in food labeling.
