EU Quality Schemes: Authentic Food Experiences
Discover the EU's culinary gems with Quality Schemes, your guide to authentic flavours rooted in Europe’s unique terroirs, offering exceptional food experiences for your business.
EU quality labels like PDO and PGI help to enhance your product range, signalling to your customers that you're committed to quality, sustainability, safety, and authenticity. These labels demonstrate support for traditional production methods, aligning with growing consumer values. This approach can lead to increased customer loyalty, higher perceived value, and a stronger brand reputation in the premium F&B sector.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Products bearing the PDO label possess the strongest links to their place of origin. Every step of production, processing, and preparation must take place within the specific geographical region, ensuring unique characteristics and quality.
Specifications:
• All stages of production, processing, and preparation must occur within the designated region.
• For wines, grapes must exclusively originate from the specified geographical area.
Example: Ελιά Καλαμάτας / Elia Kalamatas PDO, Greek table olives produced in a specific area from the 'Kalamon' variety, embodying the rich flavours and heritage of its region.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
The PGI label highlights the distinctive qualities of products intrinsically linked to a specific geographical region. At least one stage of production, processing, or preparation must take place within the designated region.
Specifications:
• At least one stage of production, processing, or preparation must occur within the designated region.
• For wines, at least 85% of grapes must originate from the specified geographical area.
Example: Speck Alto Adige / Südtiroler Markenspeck / Südtiroler Speck PGI, a dry-cured, lightly smoked ham from South Tyrol, northern Italy, with quality assured by the Südtiroler Speck Consortium and independent control institutes.
Organic logo
The Organic label signifies a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Products are produced in harmony with nature, minimising ecosystem impact and promoting animal welfare.
Specifications:
• Products must be certified organic by an authorised control agency or body.
• Must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, with strict conditions for the remaining 5%.
Example: Camembert de Normandie PDO, when made with at least 95% organic ingredients, can bear the EU Organic label, offering both regional authenticity and sustainable practices.
A guarantee of quality
Find out about EU quality as it pertains to different product categories, and learn more about EU Geographical Indicators and quality schemes.
The EU Geographical Indications register
Search for Geographical Indications (GIs) from across the European Union and beyond with eAmbrosia.
eAmbrosia is a legal register of the names of agricultural products and foodstuffs, wine, and spirit drinks that are registered and protected across the EU. It provides direct access to information on all registered geographical indications, including the legal instruments of protection and product specifications. It also displays key dates and links for applications and publications before the geographical indications are registered.