The “Sardinian PGI” lamb? Raised in Slovakia. The discovery, following a tip-off, was made by Contas inspectors in a supermarket in Langhirano, in the province of Parma: the packaging bore the Protected Geographical Indication mark, reserved for animals raised on this side of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Even though that meat came from the Eastern country, where the lamb was born, it had been raised and slaughtered.
This episode, the Consortium of Sardinian Lamb underlines, «highlights the need for interventions to improve transparency and guarantee food safety. In the pre-Easter period, cases of error increase, often linked to the spread of foreign products used by distribution chains as an alternative to national lamb, which in recent days has reached excellent prices on the market».
These errors, in addition to damaging consumer confidence and the work of shepherds, "are subject to specific sanctions provided for by current legislation, to protect transparency and the correct functioning of the agri-food chain."
Among the new initiatives, the Consortium is collaborating with the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato to develop advanced labels, similar to those used for banknotes and certificates. As explained by President Battista Cualbu , "this technology will make the labels difficult to replicate; by developing advanced labels, made with security systems similar to those used for printing banknotes and special paper, consumers and the work of shepherds will be better protected."
Another crucial aspect is consumer awareness. "Promoting a culture of conscious consumption is a collective challenge to educate citizens to recognize food fraud and enhance certified products such as our Agnello di Sardegna PGI," added Cualbu.
Trust is also achieved with good consumer information : the inspectors asked the point of sale to adequately inform customers of what had happened. And a sign appeared informing them of the error.
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)
