when Gruyère gained
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status as a
Swiss cheese, some controversy existed whether
French cheeses of a similar nature could also be labeled
Gruyère. (French Gruyère-style cheeses include
Comté and
Beaufort.) French Gruyère-style cheeses must have holes according to French agricultural law,
whereas Swiss Gruyère is a solid cheese with no holes.