by Emanuele Scarci
Italy is consolidating its primacy as European leader in officially denominated food products, with the highest number of EU-recognized quality products, according to state statistical agency ISTAT. The number of products recognized in 2014 was 269, eight more than in 2013. The continued growth of DOP designations, however, alarms some of the major consortia, seeing in their proliferation an element of confusion and dilution of the value of the certified product designation.
The sectors with the greatest number of products recognized are fruit and cereal (103 products), cheeses (49), extravergine olive oil (43) and prepared meats (38). The oft-quoted regions for DOG and IGP destinations of excellence are Emilia-Romagna and Veneto, with, respectively, 41 and 36 products recognized.
Fonte: Italy24
