Orkney cheese gets protected status
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has welcomed the news that Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar has been granted Protected Geographic Indication by the European Union.
The designation means that all stages of preparation and production must take place in the isles, including the sourcing of the milk, the preparation of the milk, the addition of salt to the curds, and then the maturation and grading of the cheese.
Commenting on the news, Mr McArthur said: “I am delighted that Orkney Cheddar has become the 13th Scottish product with an EU Protected Food Name, ensuring that cheese lovers around the world can trust that they are eating the true Orkney product, made to the highest standards.
“It is a long, arduous process gaining this status, but it is worth it to have the legal protection against imitation by inferior products. Orkney Cheddar is a unique product of the isles, and that is worth celebrating.”