You remember it San Daniele ham scandal disinfected with bleach? The story, discovered in 2017 and subject to an in -depth investigation, has now ended with the confirmation of the sentence by the Court of Cassation.
Two veterinarians, an breeder and a merchant have been recognized to have violated the disciplinary of the famous DOP ham, Using sodium hypochlorite (commonly known as bleach) in the burning tanks and slaughtering too young animals.
The case and the accusations
The focus of the story revolves around the incorrect practices adopted along the San Daniele Ham production chain. According to what emerged from the investigations, the pork legs intended for the production of the famous ham were treated with bleach to break down the bacterial load, a practice absolutely prohibited by the specification. In addition, the meat came from pigs slaughtered before nine months of age, another fundamental requirement to guarantee the quality and authenticity of the DOP product.
The role of the two veterinarians involved was particularly relevant: one of them would have directly suggested the use of bleach in the banging tanks, while the other would omit to carry out the necessary inspections on 41 pigs intended for slaughter.
The investigations also led to the discovery of several sodium hypochlorite drums in the places of production, thus confirming the use of this substance in the processing process.
The defense and the sentence of the Cassation
The defendants tried to defend themselves by claiming that although the use of sodium hypochlorite was prohibited by the specification, it was not harmful to the final consumer and did not compromise the organoleptic properties of the product. However, the Cassation rejected this argument, reiterating that the fraud on the market is configured regardless of the danger of the product. What matters, according to the sentence, is that the ham was different than that provided for by the DOP disciplinary, and was therefore sold with deceptive characteristics.
Even the attempt to defense to minimize the irregularity linked to the age of slaughtered animals did not convince the judges. The standard requires that pigs intended for the production of San Daniele have at least nine months of life, an aspect verifiable through the tattoo of origin. The defense had argued that the non -conformity of about thirty garments was the result of a simple oversight, but the Court confirmed that the violation was systematic and not accidental.
Compensation to the San Daniele Consortium
In all this, the Consortium Dan Daniele is the victim, in fact he had been a civil party in the process and now has obtained the recognition of the damage suffered and will get compensation.
