Protected Designation of Origin.
Members of an Elite Group

By law, Parma Ham can be produced only in the province of Parma (located in the Emilia-Romagna region of north-central Italy), using exclusively Italian pigs. Each step in production, from the breeding of the pigs through processing to the final packaging, is closely monitored and controlled by the Istituto Parma Qualità (I.P.Q.), the Agency for Parma Ham Quality Certification.
Only the I.P.Q. can brand the finished ham with the seal of Parma's five-pointed ducal crown, qualifying the ham as true Parma Ham.
This prized ham has also been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin by the European Community.

What is PDO, exactly?

A: PDO (short for Protected Designation of Origin) is a European Community certification system designed to protect the names of high-quality European foods made according to traditional methods in a defined geographic region. In addition to providing legally binding name protection for these products, the PDO system helps consumers, retailers, chefs, distributors and culinary professionals distinguish between authentic products and their many imitations.

Q: How does a product become a member of this elite group?

A: First of all must be a product with an old tradition and strong ties with its area of origin. A group of producers must describe their product according to precise specifications, apply to the relevant national authority and, if approved, then to the European Commission for the right to identify their food as a PDO product. To qualify, a food must meet stringent production guidelines and quality standards that are spelled out in the laws of the producing country and enforced by independent national authorities, as well as producers’ own associations.

Q: Does the PDO system for foods have any connection to the DOC and AOC designations on wine labels?

A: Yes. The systems for protecting the designation of origin of regional wines – served as the inspiration for the PDO certification system for food products, established by the European Community in 1992.

Q: Why does a gourmet food product’s place of origin matter so much?

A: The requirements for PDO certification are based on the concept of terroir, which holds that the flavor and other unique qualities of a traditionally made food are formed through a complex interaction of soil, plant life, climate, and centuries-old production methods that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Q: What’s the rationale for emphasizing traditional production methods?

A: The farmers and artisans who produce PDO products are not only highly skilled, but share a passion for upholding traditional methods perfected through the centuries. Innovations and shortcuts are adopted only if they do not compromise the quality of the product.

Q: Why should consumers care about a European system of certifying food products?

A: Bottom line, PDO certification provides consumers with quality assurance and a guarantee that they are buying the genuine product.

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