The Asiago PDO Cheese Protection Consortium has raised a red flag regarding a legislative development in the United States that could severely impact the global standing of Italian food excellence. The proposed Safety Act, currently under examination by the Senate after passing in the House of Representatives, includes a list of so-called “common names” that directly threatens several authentic PDO products, including Asiago, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, Grana Padano, and Prosciutto di Parma.
The risks of the safety act
The core objective of the US administration is to categorize these key European Geographical Indications as generic terms. If enacted, this legislation would allow American producers to manufacture and label products using these prestigious names, not only for the domestic market but also for export to third countries. In practical terms, this would effectively legalize the imitation of Italian culinary heritage, stripping these products of their protected status.
A strategic threat to European GIs
As noted by the Asiago Cheese Protection Consortium, this move is part of a coordinated and constant strategy aimed at weakening the entire European GI system. This model, which represents quality and tradition, is a benchmark that should be adopted globally rather than undermined. Many North American producers have already successfully valorized their own local specificities—such as California’s Napa Valley wines, Idaho potatoes, or Washington apples—demonstrating that there is a path to success without resorting to the exploitation of established international brand names.