Ġbejna goes global! Malta’s ‘ġbejna’ becomes first Maltese food product with EU protected status
Other foods in the category are the Parmigiano Reggiano of Italy and the Feta cheese of Greece
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has shared the exciting news that the European Union has granted the ‘ġbejna’ or sheep’s cheese from Malta an international protected status – the first local food product to make the list!
This means that the ‘ġbejna’ will not only be protected and promoted on a local scale, but also internationally, across Europe, with the EU publicising Malta’s sheep’s cheese as an artisanal and regional product among foreigners. Other food products in the list include the Parmigiano Reggiano of Italy and the Feta cheese of Greece.
In a social media post containing the announcement, Roberta Metsola wrote that this major achievement has come ‘after many years of intensive discussions and negotiations’, with efforts coming in from local activists and villagers to protect this part of Malta and Gozo’s heritage.
Are you a fan of the local ‘ġbejna’?