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Showing posts with the label Iberian ham authenticity

HAMTRACE Project Uses Science and Digital Tools to Fight Premium Ham Fraud

Premium dry-cured ham has long been one of Europe’s most treasured food traditions. From Spain’s famous Jamón Ibérico to Italy’s Prosciutto, these products carry not only a high price tag but also a reputation built over centuries. People buy them for their flavor, their craftsmanship, and the story behind them. But as demand grows worldwide, so does the problem that the industry can’t ignore food fraud anymore. Mislabelled origins, counterfeit products, and complicated global supply chains are making it harder to guarantee that the ham on a consumer’s plate is actually what the label claims it is. And that’s where a new European initiative called HAMTRACE comes in. Why Premium Ham Needs Better Protection High-quality cured ham is considered a premium product, sometimes costing hundreds of euros for a single leg. Because of that value, it has become a target for fraud in international markets. Sometimes the problem is simple mislabelling. Other times, it’s more complicated products en...

Spanish Court Issues Landmark Sentence in Jabugo Ham Fraud Case

For years, the word Jabugo has carried a quiet authority. It doesn't shout. It doesn't need to. For many consumers, it already says everything: origin, patience, know-how, and a level of quality that places it among the best hams in the world. That's why a recent court ruling in Huelva matters far beyond a single company or a single case. When a Label Stops Telling the Truth In early 2022, inspectors uncovered a practice that, on paper, might seem simple but, in reality, cuts deep. A local businessman, operating through his company, was selling hams and shoulders using the Jabugo name without authorisation. Labels were applied to products that did not meet the strict conditions required to carry that designation. Some even referenced other companies, creating an appearance of legitimacy that didn't exist. This wasn't a paperwork error. It was deliberate misrepresentation. Why Jabugo Is More Than a Word When consumers choose a product labelled "Jabugo," th...