Europe makes a stink about American cheese names

WASHINGTON — Errico Auricchio produced cheese with his family in Italy until he brought his trade to the United States more than 30 years ago. Now, the European Union is saying his cheese isn't authentic enough to carry a European name.

The EU wants to ban the use of names like Parmesan, feta and Gorgonzola on cheese made in the United States. The argument is that the American-made cheeses are shadows of the original European varieties and cut into sales and identity of the European cheeses.

The Europeans say Parmesan should only come from Parma, Italy, not from Auricchio's Wisconsin plant or those familiar green cylinders that American companies sell.

Auricchio says he has no idea what he would call his Parmesan if he had to find a new name.