Summary of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in Nordic countries

 
This article summarizes information about Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and what kind of products are certified in Northern Europe (including the three Baltic countries), with a focus on Lithuania.
 
 
The Lithuanian honey mead “Stakrishkes” that we sell is also a traditional brand that has been registered as a national heritage site of Lithuania and has been certified as a protected geographical indication (PGI).
 
 
"Intellectual property rights" that protect product quality and reputation
 
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO/Protected Designation of Origin) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI/Protected Geographical Indication) indicate that the quality and evaluation of a product originate from its place of origin and are protected as one of the intellectual property rights within the EU. system.
 
Protected Denominations of Origin (PDO) have stricter standards than Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). It started in 1973 with the first certification of wines from France, Italy and Germany.
A similar system exists in Japan, with about 120 brands including Kobe beef and Yubari melon. About 20 brands of alcohol have been certified, including Kuma shochu (rice), Satsuma shochu (potato), Iki shochu (barley), Ryukyu Awamori, and Yamanashi wine.
 
 
Now let's delve into PDO and PGI, focusing on Lithuania and Northern Europe.
 
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Protected Designation of Origin
 
1,885 brands have been certified in all 27 EU member countries, and the logo is a red and yellow design.
A certification given to products with quality and characteristics that exclusively reflect the characteristics of the place of origin and geographical environment.
 
In many cases, the name of the certified land is used in the product name, and it must be produced in that region using raw materials obtained in that region.
Famous PDO foods include Camembert cheese (France), Gorgonzola (Italy) and Parma ham (Italy).
 
Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cognac, Champagne (France), Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain), Tokaj (Hungary), etc. are famous for alcohol.
Lithuania has only one PDO certification, which is for honey.
Rajaj region of Lithuania and Sejny region of Poland. In 2012, it was the first brand to receive PDO certification in a bilateral country, a rare case in which both regions straddling the border are covered.
There are only 13 PDO-certified brands in the entire Nordic region: 1 in Latvia, 0 in Estonia, 5 in Sweden, 1 in Denmark, 5 in Finland and 0 in Norway.
Lithuanian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Country
Brand
Brand name (reading)
Product category
Certification year
Lithuania 🇱🇹
&
Poland 🇵🇱
Seinų / Lazdijų krašto medus
Seinu / Rajyu Kurasht Medus
honey
2012
 
Nordic Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) stocks
Country
Brand
Product category
Certification year
Latvia 🇱🇻
Latvijas lielie pelēkie zirņi
beans
2015
Sweden 🇸🇪
Wrångebacksost
cheese
2022
Sweden 🇸🇪
Vanerlojrom
fish eggs
2021
Sweden 🇸🇪
Hånnlamb
meat
2016
Sweden 🇸🇪
Upplandskubb
bread
2014
Sweden 🇸🇪
Kalix Lojrom
fish eggs
2010
Denmark 🇩🇰
Dons
sparkling wine
2018
Finland 🇫🇮
Kitkan viisas
fish
2013
Finland 🇫🇮
Lapin Poron kylmäsavuliha
meat
2011
Finland 🇫🇮
Lapin Poron kuivaliha
meat
2010
Finland 🇫🇮
Lapin PoLapin Poron liharon liha
meat
2009
Finland 🇫🇮
Lapin Puikula
potatoes
1997
 
 
 
 
 
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
Protected Geographical Indication
 
1,390 brands are certified in all 27 EU member countries, and the logo is a blue and yellow design.
It is a certification given to products related to a special region, and there are also cases where the name of the region is used for the product name. The major difference with PDO is that part of the production process is subject to certification outside the region.
Famous PDI products include Blood Orange (Italy), Bayonne Ham (France) and Balsamic Vinegar (Italy).
 
Lithuania has obtained PGI certification for the following seven brands. If you know mead, cheese, bread, beer, Shakotis and Lithuania well, you will be satisfied with the brands.
 
 
There are 31 PGI-certified brands across Northern Europe: 2 in Latvia, 1 in Estonia, 2 in Norway, 5 in Sweden, 12 in Denmark and 2 in Finland. In Denmark, which had the largest number of certification registrations, four brands each of wine and cheese were certified.
 
Lithuanian Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Stocks
Country
Brand
Brand name (reading)
Product category
Certification year
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Nijolės Šakočienės šakotis
Nyores Shakochenes Shakotis
baked goods
2022
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Kaimiškas Jovarų alus
Kaimishkas Yobal Ars
Beer
2019
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Dziugas
Jugas
cheese
2019
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Liliputas
Lilyptus
cheese
2015
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Daujėnų naminė duona
Dauyen Namine Duona
rye bread
2014
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Stakliskės
Stakrishkes
honey mead
2013
Lithuania 🇱🇹
Lietuviškas varškės sūris
Lietovishkas Balszkes Souris
cottage cheese
2013
 
Nordic Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Stocks
Country
Brand
Product category
Certification year
Latvia 🇱🇻
Rucavas baltais svies
butter
2018
Latvia 🇱🇻
Carnikavas nēģi
fish
2015
Estonia 🇪🇪
Sõir
cheese
2021
Norway 🇳🇴
Fenalår fra Norge
meat
2017
Norway 🇳🇴
Torrfisk fra Lofoten
fish
2014
Sweden 🇸🇪
Äkta Granna Polkagrisar
snack
2022
Sweden 🇸🇪
Värmländskt skrädmjöl
oat flour
2021
Sweden 🇸🇪
Bruna bönor från Öland
beans
2010
Sweden 🇸🇪
Skånsk spettkaka
baked goods​
2000
Sweden 🇸🇪
Svecia
cheese
1997
Denmark 🇩🇰
Havarti
cheese
2019
Denmark 🇩🇰
Danbo
cheese
2017
Denmark 🇩🇰
Lammefjordskartofler
potatoes
2014
Denmark 🇩🇰
Vadehavs studio
meat
2012
Denmark 🇩🇰
Vadehavslam
meat
2012
Denmark 🇩🇰
Bornholm
wine
2011
Denmark 🇩🇰
Jylland
wine
2011
Denmark 🇩🇰
Fyn
wine
2011
Denmark 🇩🇰
Sjaelland
wine
2011
Denmark 🇩🇰
Lammefjords Gulerod
Carrot
1996
Denmark 🇩🇰
Esrom
cheese
1996
Denmark 🇩🇰
Danablu
cheese
1996
Finland 🇫🇮
Puruveden muikku
fish
2013
Finland 🇫🇮
Kainuun ronttonen
sweet pie
2008
 
 
 
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) certified mead mead
 
 
Among them, Lithuanian mead "Stakrishkes" applied for PGI in July 2010 and received certification in November 2013. PGI certification was approved after a review period of more than three years.
 
Furthermore, Stakrishkes is introduced in the book "Lithuanian Food Labeled With The Mark Of Quality" on PDO and PGI published in Lithuania.
 
 
Honey wine mead "Stakrishkes"
 
"Stakrishkes" is a honey liquor that appears in an old legend about the Grand Duke of the Principality of Lithuania. A transparent, amber-colored sake with 12% alcohol that takes about a year to brew.
 
After the honey and water are mixed and heated, the other ingredients are added, cooled, and the yeast is added to ferment. After that, it is filtered after maturing until the surface becomes transparent.
 
The alcohol content is only the amount produced by this fermentation and no alcohol is added. There is no added sugar, sweetener, coloring agent, flavoring agent, etc., and it is a liquor with characteristics derived from the original quality of honey.
 
This mead "Stakrishkes" is brewed in the Stakrishkes region of Lithuania according to traditional recipes handed down from ancient times, and continues to protect the trust of aged mead with a delicate aroma and taste over time.
 
Lithuanian mead "Stakrishkes" is registered as a special brand in Europe. Why not give it a try on your special day?
 
 
Reference: "Lithuanian Food Labeled With The Mark Of Quality" (Kokybe Pazenklintas Lietuviskas Maistas) / Terra Publica 2017