EU protected food names

Locally produced food and drink products have their unique heritage, character and reputation protected through the EU Protected Food Name Scheme.

The EU Protected Food Name Scheme identifies regional and traditional foods whose authenticity and origin can be guaranteed. Under this system a named food or drink (separate arrangements exist for wines and spirits) registered at a European level will be given legal protection against imitation throughout the EU.

FFB is the UK body responsible for handling applications made by UK producers.

Producers who have registered their products for protection have enjoyed raised awareness across Europe, and benefited from consumers' increasing appreciation of the importance of regional and speciality foods.

FFB is ideally placed to advise companies on the suitability of their products for protected status and to guide them through the application process. We also campaign to raise buyer and consumer awareness of the scheme, which brings added benefits to producers of registered goods.

Products with protected name status fall into three categories:

 Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Open to products produced, processed and prepared within a specific geographical area, and with features and characteristics attributable to that area.

 

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
Open to products produced or processed or prepared within a specific geographical area, and with features or qualities attributable to that area.

 

Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)
Open to products that are traditional or have customary names, and have features that distinguish them from other similar products. These features need not be attributable to the geographical area the product is produced in, nor entirely based on technical advances in the method of production.

 

A list of UK foods with protected status is available here.

A number of other products are currently going through the application process. Please click here to see this list.

To obtain a designation, all producers must go through a rigorous application and verification process which can take up to 24 months. All products registered under the three designations will be subject to inspection to ensure that the requirements of the registered specification are met.

All the designations require a precise product specification. This must include information about the method of production, including the origin, nature and characteristics of the raw materials. Historical evidence linking the product to the geographical area or to substantiate the character of the product is also required.

Guidance on the scheme is available to download here.

An application form to begin the process of registering your product is available here.

To discuss whether protected name status could benefit your product, or to find out more about the application process, contact Irene Bocchetta at ibocchetta@foodfrombritain.co.uk.