This Is Italy
The discovery of alleged fake buffalo mozzarella cheese at a factory in Italy last Monday has led to the arrest of 13 people. Among them are two veterinarians who have reportedly warned the plant about future inspections, the Associated Press reports.
Cut with cow's milk
The buffalo mozzarella at the factory, which is located near the mafia capital Caserta in the Campania region, is traditionally prepared with local buffalo milk. The police concluded that the buffalo milk was mixed with cheaper cow's milk.
Buffalo mozzarella from Italy is certified by the European Union with a Denominazione d'Origine Protetta or DOP seal. Just like 'our' Gouda and Edam, it is a protected product. Mozzarella is mainly used in the rest of the world to make Caprese salad (tomato, cheese and basil).
Too many bacteria
Sales in seven stores were also halted last Monday in the wake of the factory shutdown. Italian authorities have also found that the cheese contained more than 20 times the allowable amount of bacteria. The fraud came to light after an employee of the factory was injured and police had to be called.
Other counterfeit Italian products
Italy also has to deal with counterfeit olive oil. A 2011 UC Davis survey found that more than two-thirds of imported Italian olive oils in U.S. supermarkets are not what they claim to be. Some brands of 100% extra virgin olive oil actually turned out to be blends of olive oil with cheaper oils such as canola and walnut oil.
Source: LA Times
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