Reggio Emilia, October 23, 2010 – “Deceitful practices are also affecting Kona Coffee” stated Leo Bertozzi,Director of Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano, “as is clear from the tough and unfair competition it is facing from a blend called “Kona Coffee Blend,” which contains only 10% Kona coffee mixed with coffee from other places, often of low quality.
The award we are presenting is intended as a sign of solidarity with the Hawaiian producers. We share their fight, which is also ours: sweeping away from the world these imitations and frauds (sometimes brazenly recognized as such, not just tolerated), which affect the best of the food industry, in order to give consumers the possibility of making informed purchases of products of origin, meaning that places and farmers are protected and promoted.”
The award ceremony took place today in Turin at the Salone del Gusto, Slow Food’s biannual event, sponsored by the Parmigiano-Reggiano Consortium since its early days. It was preceded by a discussion that explored the protection and promotion of geographical indications in international markets.
Press release: Hawaii’s Kona Coffee Wins International Parmigiano-Reggiano Award
