A Bigger Issue Than You Think: Falsified Geographical Indications in Honey and Cheese
Nearly all Altai honey sold isn't genuinely sourced from the region
In Russia, it seems like the honey you're buying as Altai honey might not be a genuine product hailing from the Altai region. Elena Tsvetkova, an advisor to the head of Rosselkhoznadzor, spilled the beans at the plenary session "The Market Without Counterfeit: Reality or Illusion."
"We scrutinized 36 products with geographical indications, and it's Altai honey that raises the most eyebrows. There are 348 companies producing 'Altai honey' in 58 regions, shockingly 95% of it is manufactured outside the Altai region and the Republic of Altai," Tsvetkova stated.
The situation with Adyghean cheese appears to be a déjà vu. Out of the 200 companies producing this cheese, mere 26 reside in Adygea. As per Tsvetkova, a closer look at these companies reveals that their milk doesn't come from the region but from places like Belgorod, Voronezh, and Tatarstan.
Tsvetkova emphasizes the necessity to bring some sanity to this chaotic landscape, particularly in protecting geographical names from being misused.
While the details about the mislabeling of Altai honey and Adyghean cheese in Russia aren't widely available, this issue isn't exclusive to our borders. Geographical indications (GIs) are often targeted worldwide, predominantly due to lax enforcement or oversight. This practice is rampant across various sectors, including food production, where misuse of GIs can leave consumers brainwashed and the genuine products' authenticity and worth questionable.
Geographical indications (GIs) are terms used on products that boast a specific geographical origin and boast qualities or a reputation owing to that origin. Misrepresenting products with GIs can deceive consumers and erode economic benefits for actual region producers. Enforcing GI protections in Russia, as in other countries, can be a Herculean task due to the intricacy of supply chains and the scale of production.
For products like Altai honey and Adyghean cheese, ensuring authenticity relies on stringent labeling regulations and solid enforcement mechanisms. These measures may include frequent inspections, certification processes, and legal action against mislabelers. But without specific data or studies on these products in Russia, it's hard to ascertain the precise extent of the mislabeling in these particular cases. So, next time you're shopping, don't just take their word for it – do your own investigation and ensure you're not being bamboozled!
- In the realm of food-and-drink, it's crucial to enforce regulations on geographical indications (GIs) for products like Altai honey and Adyghean cheese, because misrepresentation can deceive consumers and erode economic benefits for authentic region producers.
- The mislabeling of products with geographical indications (GIs), such as Altai honey and Adyghean cheese, can have significant impacts on businesses and consumers, as it undermines the food-and-drink industry's integrity and profits.
