Posted on 03/04/2014 3:03:59 PM PST by Theoria
What's in a name? It's an age-old question Juliet once asked Romeo in Shakespeare's famed play.
Today, it's a serious question between the U.S. and the European Union, which has said it wants U.S. food makers to stop using European names.
But depending on what food you're talking about, a name could be a lot, says Kyle Cherek, the producer and host of a TV show called Wisconsin Foodie.
Cherek argues that certain products are so unique that only one country or region should be allowed to lay claim. So, for example, he says only onions from Vidalia, Ga., should be called American Vidalia, and Lambic beer absolutely has to come from a specific valley in Belgium.
"Roquefort, of course, has to come from that region" of France, he adds, because there's a distinctive fungus that gives the cheese its flavor.
But not everything fits into that category. Take, for instance, cheddar cheese — which is big business in Wisconsin.
"They simply can't legislate that into a region," Cherek says. "Cheddar is made in Australia, in the U.S., in Canada. It's made in probably seven or eight countries."
And therein lies the problem.
As part of negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the European Union wants the U.S. to prohibit food makers here from using names with historical ties to Europe.
That means popular cheeses like Gruyere, Brie and Parmesan could all be in line for a name change, thanks to the EU's proposed restrictions. The problem, says Steve Stettler, who owns Decatur Dairy in Brodhead, Wis., is that U.S. food makers have spent a lot of money building their brands.
"How do we educate our consumers? People have spent a great deal of money on labeling, building traditions, building a name on a product," Stettler says.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
Bettahdenfranz
Keekfranzaz
Frogsux
If europe wants to regulate the names American businesses use for foods they export for sale in Europe, no problem, have at it. Stuff sold in America though, that’s America stuff... butt out frenchy. If we want to let Vietnam sell diesel fuel as “Finest French Champagne, product of Vietnam”, that’s our business.
Just change the spelling and use a "Mercan" pronounciation.
5.56mm
The French have a lot of nerve. They named their capital city after a small town in Texas, after all.
I knew they sold brake pads and ball joints but...
The US taxpayers/consumers/companies are always on the losing side of those so-called "bilateral benefits".
The Europansies can always added "Swiss" to Gruyere for added cachet (and perceived added value), just like "Vermont" cheddar, "New York State" cheddar, Wisconsin "cheddar"...
I was reading something on cheese (probably from Guntenberg.org), and the US was exporting cheddar to England in the late 19th century. I think a region of NYS was producing more cheddar than all of England at the time, home of Cheddar [Village].
Of course, companies can add "-style" to the label of what is a consumer product in the US.
These are essentially brand names. Protecting them protects the consumer, as well as the regions. For instance, if you buy a Rolex watch, you want it to be a genuine Rolex. Same with smelly cheeses — you want your Roquefort to be genuine, not some less-smelly knock off.
“As part of negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the European Union wants the U.S. to prohibit food makers here from using names with historical ties to Europe”
Its Gouda nuff for them but too Gouda for us.
Dear Europe.
We do what we want.
Sincerely,
The guys who’ve been funding your defense, repatriating your sovereignty, and propping up your economies since 1945.
Screw em. Let’s crank out “Champagne” as well. Medals and awards mean nothing anymore. Why should brie.
"As a European this is how I imagine Americans have breakfast"
How about surrender toast, bland muffins and hispanic rice?
Why not just do single country real free trade agreements, anything goes? All the rules making is just...wait for it...crony capitalism.
hahaha, worx for me!!!
I love bacon so works for me too! Thought their post was silly, but not far from the truth I think....that’s just a well balanced breakfast!
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