What are geographical indications and protected food names?
Explanation and examples of geographical indications and protected food names, used to protect products from imitation.
Geographical indications (GIs) are place names used to identify the origin and quality, reputation or other characteristics of products.
Traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) status is open to products which are traditional or have customary names, and have a set of features which distinguish them from other similar products.
To gain GI protection, a product must have characteristics, qualities or reputation derived from its geographical origin – perhaps due to its climate and environment and/or the expertise of producers in the area. For example, Cornish clotted cream or Orkney beef.
To gain TSG status, a product must be produced using traditional methods. For example, traditionally farmed Gloucestershire Old Spots pork.
UK and European Union (EU) schemes give legal protection against imitation to products with GI or TSG status. See EU GI Schemes and UK GI schemes.
An individual or business does not own a protected food or drink name. Any producer can make and sell a product under a registered product name if they:
- follow the product’s specification
- are verified to do so
Northern Ireland geographical indications
The products with GIs in Northern Ireland are:
- Comber New Potatoes
- Armagh Bramley Apples
- Lough Neagh Eels
- Lough Neagh Pollan
- Irish Cream (‘all-island’ name protection)
- Irish Poteen (‘all-island’ name protection)
- Irish Whiskey (‘all-island’ name protection)
Product names on the EU GI register can be viewed on the . Product names on the UK GI register can be viewed on the .