The brands
The brand of Provolone Valpadana DOP is a scarapela: a yellow shape on a green background
The brand that distinguishes Provolone Valpadana is the escarapela, attached to the ring that fits the shape. The same logo is also visible in all containers of the product placed on the market.
The absolute guarantee of the quality of the product and security against any form of falsification.
It is the Consortium the voluntary body that protects the brand that ensures compliance with the market. It is the story of men and their purpose of putting themselves together in the name of Provolone Valpadana DOP.
The men are the ones who manage the factories of the things from where it comes and make the thing and the ganaderos who from their holidays get and procure the necessary light.
As all the true, real, vivid stories, it wasn't exactly a walk, because we know so many stories, it's not easy. The men of Provolone Valpadana prepared it and with anticipation compared to many producers of other products, convinced that only compact and single pieces can be made.
Only the collaboration between the producers allowed us to connect to a care to protect the best possible Provolone Valpadana
From the years '50 until '78
The belief existed when, halfway through the Fifteen Years, Provolone (which was always called only as it was) was recognized as “typical”,
Indeed, the question of the production zone was controversial (potentially it was all in Italy, but in reality the producers concentrated between Lombardy, Emilia and Veneto), and raised doubts including the so-called production polymorphism of Provolone which, in effect, can take very different formats
- of salami
- of melon
- truncated-conical
- of pear
- de garrafa (top pear with esférica head)
and various weights and sizes (from a few hectograms to more than 100 kilos).
The first change took place in 1975, the year in which the producers of the Po Valley area decided to become members of a single body, the Consorcio de tutela, unlike the one that had happened with other Lombardy ones.
From 1978 to today
Three years later, in 1978, the Consortium took on the official role of taking care of supervision, it is said, from this moment on it was the same person who supervised all the producers who formed part of it, but also unassociated companies, for that will satisfy them Game rules to make Provolone according to the agreed standard.
In 1993 the denomination of origin “Provolone Valpadana DOC” was recognized and, for maximum reward, on 21 June 1996 the European Union recognized Provolone Valpadana with the Designation of Origin Protected, forming part of the group of these DOP products with its versions sweet y spicy.
For the purposes of the Consorzio Tutela Provolone, another step has been taken: the protection of the product and its defense against imitations, frauds and falsifications. Starting from this moment, nothing that could seem like this Provolone could replace the product in Valpadana. To ensure the authentic Provolone Valpadana DOP, a scarlet with the brand of the Consorcio de tutela is applied: on the green background an amarilla shape and the number of the factory producing it.
Since 2002, the name of the Consortium has been renewed: it has been converted into the Consortium for the Protection of Provolone Valpadana with new and qualified functions to improve and protect the cheese.
The DOP brand is accompanied by that of Provolone Valpadana
With the symbol of the same Provolone Valpadana, the DOP brand is accompanied by the forms, which is independent of the Consortium and is regulated by law. The red scarlet on the amarillo background identifies all these products with Protected Origin Designation.
With this acronym it is understood that all the manufacturing phases of the product must occur within a specific geographical area.
Furthermore, the production process must comply with the regulations established by the reference legislation.
The recognition of the PDO brand is regulated by law: Ministerio de Políticas Agrícolas Alimentarias y Forestales offers a complete list of products that can show off the recognition.
