Protected Designation of Origin cheeses and milks harbor startling microbial diversity

Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is an EU labeling scheme that guarantees the authentic regional identity of consumer food products. In France, 51 dairy products, including cheeses, butters, and creams, carry the PDO seal, a sign of artisanship and adherence to specifications related to production zones, production processes, and livestock diets, among other factors.