Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano makers are using microchips to verify the authenticity of their products and thwart scammers.
Parmigiano-Reggiano makers are putting edible microchips the size of a grain of sand into their 90-pound cheese wheels to combat counterfeiters::Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano makers are using microchips to verify the authenticity of their products and thwart scammers.
Where in the article did it mention that the counterfeit versions are better than the originals? I didn't see a comparison of quality at all (maybe I missed it?).
I think it's more than the counterfeit versions have gotten so good and/or cheap that the genuine manufacturers feel the need to compete by placing microchips in their cheese rather than improve their own or bring down the price.