The definition of Feta cheese is set to change after an Advocate-General of the European Court expressed the view that it is a generic product and not entitled to protected denomination status.
Antonio la Pergola’s view is likely to overturn a 1996 European Commission regulation stating that use of the name Feta should be limited to cheese produced in mainland Greece from sheep’s or goats’ milk. Since its inception, the law has been vigorously opposed by European Feta producers outside Greece, mainly in Denmark, Germany and France.
The European Court is due to deliver its final judgement on the case in November, but observers are pre dicting it will be inclined to act in accordance with La Pergola’s recommendation.