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The Quebec Dairy Industry Council wishes to create a protected geographical indication for Quebec poutine cheese, in order to guarantee the authenticity of the product and promote Quebec’s culinary heritage. This initiative, which falls under the responsibility of the Council for Reserved Designations and Value-Added Terms, would allow consumers to recognize Quebec cheese curds as an original ingredient in poutine, an emblematic dish. However, some players outside Quebec, such as the St-Albert Cooperative Cheese Factory, say they are concerned, recalling that their cheese curd production has existed since 1894 and that their know-how is part of the local tradition. Executive Director Éric Lafontaine plans to push for equivalent recognition in Ontario, in order to protect cheese curds in his region.