The European Union's push for recyclable packaging poses a threat to the traditional cheese wrapped in spruce bark
The traditional cheese wrapped in spruce bark is seriously threatened by an ambitious goal of the European Union, which is to enforce the exclusive use of recyclable packaging.
Our specialty has been saved, however, only momentarily, by Camembert, the famous moldy cheese, always packaged in wooden boxes. Under pressure from French producers, MEPs voted at the last minute for a temporary derogation for wooden packaging.
Related
- The country with the happiest children and young people is in Europe. The antithesis of life in the USA for Gen Z
- The CEO of McDonald's summoned to account in the British Parliament after the scandal of 17-year-olds harassed in the kitchen
- The first country in the world to tax cow emissions. How much will the cattle "pay"?
- A campus for young people eager to learn a trade will be built in Maramureș. The investment amounts to 25 million euros
- Where is the happiest place in the world for young people? It’s considered Europe’s greatest hidden gem
Packaging is part of the recipe
The wonderful cheese wrapped in spruce bark is the result of a meticulous manufacturing process. The packaging is practically part of the recipe: the bark is taken from the spruce, cleaned of resin, steamed and then sewn. The kneaded cheese, well-packed inside, is left to mature for up to three months, during which the cheese acquires a special taste.
Alina Dumbravă, producer: "It's a bit spicy, a bit sweet and has that spruce aroma that delights everyone".
The flavor of our traditional cheese would be lost if the packaging were made of recyclable material, according to customers at the Traditional Products Market in Bran.
Woman: "It would surely change its taste. Most definitely".
The European Commission has requested that all packaging be recyclable by 2030. However, French Camembert producers have launched a true campaign to save their wooden boxes.
Laurence Sailliet, Member of the European Parliament: "Mr. President, our French cheeses are loved worldwide. But who can imagine a Camembert or a Mont d'Or without its wooden edge? Encasing them in plastic would represent a deviation from both a taste and environmental standpoint. Other products from other countries face the same traps. Dear colleagues, let's not legislate without discernment".
Alin Mituța, Member of the European Parliament: "The lobby on this packaging legislation has been very intense; almost everyone had opinions, but those who cared most about this issue of wooden packaging were the French producers".
And the French have succeeded for us too. The European Parliament has adopted an amendment that provides for wooden and wax packaging to be exempted from the recycling rule until a new assessment.
Man: "I don't consider spruce bark as packaging. It preserves the cheese, but that doesn't mean it's packaging".
Elena Monea, seller: "This is a tradition that has been going on for years, cheese wrapped in spruce bark".
The new regulation will be reviewed by the European Council, then discussed with the member states to receive its final form.
