Development and Validation of the Perceived Authenticity Scale for Cheese Specialties with Protected Designation of Origin.

Authenticity has become increasingly important in the modern market as consumers seek products more resonant of tradition and originality. This study aimed to develop and validate a perceived authenticity scale for food specialties. Furthermore, this work exposed the causal relationship between authenticity and consumer behaviour, by quantitatively analysing the effects of perception of authenticity and identification with a product on consumers' willingness to consume the cheese Algovian Emmentaler, an iconic dairy product produced in southern Germany and protected with the designation of origin.