Feta can only be Greek

The Court of Justice of the European Union has put an end to the dispute over feta.

It ruled that only Greece can use the name “feta” for cheeses, and Denmark, allowing local producers to use this name for their exported product, is breaking the law.

The Court of Justice of the European Union imposed disciplined penalties on Denmark for selling a cheese called “feta”, although the right to use this term is reserved for Greece, reports The Guardian. Twenty years ago, in 2002, the European Union recognized feta as a traditional Greek product. The Luxembourg-based court said in a statement:

“By failing to end the designation of cheese destined for export to third countries as feta, Denmark has failed to comply with European Union law.”

Joy and rejoicing were caused in Athens by the news of the court’s decision. Christos Apostolopoulos, head of the Greek Dairy Association, which produces 80% of the country’s cheese, exclaims:

“This is a great day for real feta cheese. We are very satisfied and happy. Our grievances have finally been heard.”

Greece knows for sure and does not cease to assert this – history is on its side. White soft crumbly cheese, most often from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, was first mentioned as early as the eighth century BC. It was mentioned by Homer in The Odyssey, and Aristotle admired the characteristic taste and texture of feta.

A product of the ancient world – an integral part of Greek cuisine. Feta garnishes traditional Greek salads with a special flavor, is used in pastries offered by bakeries, and is on the menu of every Greek tavern. The President of the Union of Restaurateurs in Thessaloniki, Yannis Philokostas, says:

“Almost no tables [посетителей]who wouldn’t order it. The logic of the European Court was absolutely correct. History has proven that this is clearly a Greek product, and for us this is a good decision. Why should Denmark rob our product?”

It remains to add that approximately 120 thousand tons of unique curd cheese from sheep and goat milk, called feta, is produced annually in Greece.

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