Grana Padano boasts ancient origins linked to the ingenuity of Cistercian monks. With the spread of its production throughout the Po Valley, it became essential to protect this unique heritage from imitations and guarantee consistent quality standards. This article explores the birth and crucial role of the Grana Padano Protection Consortium, the body that for 70 years has been the guarantor of the authenticity and quality of the most consumed PDO cheese in the world.
The Birth of the Consortium: Uniting to Protect
The need for protection materialized in the post-World War II period. On June 18, 1954, in Lodi, under the impetus of the trade associations Federlatte and Assolatte, the Consortium for the Protection of Grana Padano Cheese was founded. From the outset, it brought together producers, aging facilities, and traders driven by a common passion: to safeguard a centuries-old experience, enhance a unique know-how, and protect the originality of the cheese.
Mission and Activities: Guarantee for the Global Market
The statutory purposes of the Consortium are clear and fundamental for those operating in the international food sector: to protect, promote, and enhance Grana Padano PDO in Italy and worldwide. This translates into:
- Vigilance: Rigorous control over production and trade to ensure compliance with the traditional recipe and high-quality standards.
- Promotion: Promotional and advertising activities to strengthen the brand and communicate its values.
- Research and Development: Technical and market studies to improve production and marketing methods.
- Legal Protection: Legal actions to defend the designation against fraud and imitation.
The Path to PDO and Official Recognition
The role of the Consortium has strengthened over time through fundamental milestones:
- 1955: Recognition of the Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) in Italy (Presidential Decree No. 1269).
- 1957: Official assignment of the supervisory task through ministerial decrees.
- 1996: Recognition of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) by the European Union (EC Regulation No. 1107/96). This mark is the definitive guarantee for consumers and international buyers: every wheel branded with fire respects the strict Production Regulations and possesses the unique characteristics linked to the territory and history.
- 2002: Ministerial decree formally recognizing the Consortium's functions of protection, promotion, enhancement, consumer information, and general care of the PDO's interests.
The Consortium Today: Stability and Future Vision
Today, the Grana Padano Protection Consortium represents 127 production companies with 137 dairies and 148 aging facilities, operating in the large production area that encompasses 32 provinces in 5 regions of Northern Italy. Its mandate has been confirmed until 2054, offering long-term vision and stability, essential for commercial partners. Recently, the creation of the Grana Padano Foundation (symbolically based at the Chiaravalle Abbey) demonstrates a commitment that goes beyond the product, embracing social and cultural responsibilities.
Conclusion
For international buyers and food professionals, the Grana Padano Protection Consortium represents a fundamental partner. It is the body that ensures the authenticity, consistent quality, and traceability of Grana Padano PDO, offering solid guarantees supported by decades of experience and a solid, future-oriented organizational structure.
Continue to follow us on Gourm.it to learn more about the global success of Grana Padano. We are also excited to welcome Latteria Sociale San Lazzaro, an excellent Mantuan producer of Grana Padano PDO and a testament to the quality guaranteed by the Consortium, as a new member of the Consorzio Gourm.it.
