EU Stops USA to Use the Name “Parmesan” For Fake Cheeses

According to The Guardian, during recent trade talks the European Union expressed its intention to restrict the use of European cheese names in the United States. Parmesan was one of the cheeses specifically mentioned in the discussions.

The EU argues that many cheeses produced in the U.S. pale in comparison to their European originals and, more importantly, dilute the cultural identity and economic value of protected regional products such as Parmigiano Reggiano. This practice contributes to lower sales for authentic producers and fuels the wider phenomenon known as Italian sounding, where products appear Italian in name or branding but have no real connection to Italy.

The EU Argument on Copied PDO Products

From the European perspective, the term “Parmesan” should apply exclusively to cheese produced in the Parma region of Italy under strict Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) rules. The grated cheese sold in green cylindrical containers across American supermarkets does not meet these standards and, according to the EU, should not legally carry the Parmesan name.

The challenge for the U.S. market is largely semantic and commercial: if the product can no longer be called parmesan, what should consumers call the grated cheese traditionally sprinkled on pasta? While this may sound trivial, naming conventions directly influence branding, pricing, and consumer trust.

The U.S. Response

Unsurprisingly, U.S. dairy producers strongly oppose the proposed restrictions. They argue that such changes could significantly impact the $4 billion American cheese industry and create confusion among consumers. The debate extends beyond parmesan to include other widely produced cheeses such as feta, asiago, romano, and muenster.

Kraft and other major producers maintain that although Europeans originally introduced these cheeses to America, it was U.S. producers who industrialised, marketed, and popularised them at scale. In the American legal and commercial context, names such as “parmesan” have long been treated as generic rather than protected geographic indicators.

Opponents warn that forcing name changes could lead to consumer confusion, reduced sales, and potential job losses. Errico Auricchio, president of BelGioioso Cheese Inc. in Green Bay, Wisconsin, jokingly suggested that the product might be renamed “I can’t believe it’s not parmesan.”

Behind the humour lies a serious commercial and cultural conflict between intellectual property protection, global trade, and consumer habits — a tension that continues to shape international food policy today.

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