The regulations

The regulations for production and marketing of Fontina cheese.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

In view of the law of 10 April 1954, n.125, concerning the safeguarding of the denominations of origin and typical qualities of cheeses;
In view of the law of 5 January 1955, n.5, bearing modifications to articles 3 and 14 of the aforesaid law n.125;
In view of the presidential decree of 5 August 1955, n. 667, containing regulations for the implementation of the cited law of 10 April 1954, n.125;
Having heard the national Committee for the safeguarding of the denominations of origin and typical characteristics of cheeses, set up according to article 4 of law n.125;
On the proposal of the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, in accordance with the Minister for Industry and Trade;

Decrees

Article 1. Recognition be given to the denominations of origin listed below, whose use is reserved for cheeses having particular fixed requisites with the present decree concerning the working methods, the product characteristics and the production zones:

Fontina:

Full fat half-cooked cheese, made with full-cream cows' milk, taken from a single milking, at natural fermentation acidity. Prior to curdling the milk must not have been heated to a temperature above 36°C.
The cheese is to be dry-salted using the characteristic technique.
Average maturation period three months; temperature 6-10°C, and however, not above 12°C, relative humidity level: 90°10 or saturation; obtained by the natural condition of the mountain dairy.
It is a table cheese and presents the following characteristics:
cylindrical shape and slightly concave on the flat or almost flat sides; weight from 8 to 18 kilogrammes with slight variations, depending on the technical conditions of production; dimensions: height 7-10 cm, diameter 30-45 cm with slight variations for both characteristics, depending on the technical conditions of production; firm rind, thin, around 2mm thick; tender mixture, rather soft, with few holes, melts in the mouth, slightly straw-coloured; characteristic sweet taste; fat on the dry substance: minimum 45°10.
Production area: the present territory of the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley.

THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND TRADE

In view of the law of 10 April 1954, n.125, concerning the safeguarding of the denominations of origin and typical characteristics of cheeses, and the decree of the President of the Republic of 5 August 1955, n.667, bearing regulations for the implementation of the aforesaid law;
In view of article 1 of the decree of the President of the Republic of 30 October 1955, n.1269, which recognises the denomination of origin of Fontina cheese;
In view of the application of 18 November 1955, with which the President of the Fontina Producers' Consortium asks that the Consortium itself be entrusted, according to articles 7 and 8 of the cited law n.125, with the task of supervising the production and marketing of the cheese for which the use of the denomination of origin Fontina is allowed;
In view of the constitutive act of the Consortium of 24 June 1952, the attached statute and relative modifications, and the other documents presented to complement the abovementioned application, in keeping with what has been laid down in art. 6 of the cited decree of the President of the Republican n. 667;
Having heard the opinion of the Italian Committee for the safeguarding of the denominations of origin and typical characteristics of cheeses, which approves the acceptance of the above application;
Having considered the advisability of assigning to the aforementioned Consortium the task of supervising the production and marketing of the cheese with the denomination of origin Fontina;

Decrees:

In accordance with the provisions of articles 7, second paragraph, and 8 of the law of 10 April 1954, n. 125, concerning the safeguarding of the denominations of origin and typical characteristics of cheeses, and the regulations issued for the implementation of the aforementioned law with the decree of the President of the Republic of 5 August 1955, n.667, the Consortium of Fontina Producers, based in Aosta, is entrusted with the task of supervision of the production and marketing of the cheese for which the use of the denomination of origin Fontina is consented. In implementing the supervision assigned to the aforementioned Consortium it will also see to the application of the brand or other marks on the Fontina, provided for by article 5 of the cited Presidential decree n. 667, according to the regulations established in the special specifications predetermined by the Consortium itself.