FACT FOCUS: Social media falsely claims heatwave threatens Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and bank
MILAN (AP) — As Italy has been plunged into a period of extreme heat, social media accounts amplified and falsified reports about the impact on the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and a regional bank that stores the cheese wheels as…
Italy experienced a wave of extreme heat, leading to false social media claims that it threatened the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and a regional bank that stores the cheese as collateral for loans. Parmigiano Reggiano, a special type of cheese, is crafted under strict conditions within specific regions in northern Italy.
The cheese is made from milk sourced from local cattle fed on specific forage, and it must age for at least 12 months, with the possibility of aging up to 40 months. One of the main banks that accept Parmigiano Reggiano as collateral is Credito Emiliano S.p.A.'s Magazini Generali delle Tagliate (MGT). The bank has been in operation since 1953 and currently stores 500,000 cheese wheels valued at 300 million euros in two storage facilities.
Despite the false claims that the extreme heat was endangering both the cheese and the cheese banks, the bank confirmed that all was well, as the extreme heat had increased energy consumption to keep the facilities cool by 30%.
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