EU quality schemes for agricultural products -

The European Union has implemented three quality schemes to protect the names of specific quality products: protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PDI), and traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG).

This system is applied to all EU member states and automatically, through nation-level agreements, to non-EU states as well. These schemes aim to encourage diversity in agricultural production, protect product names from misuse and imitation and offer information to consumers about the specific character of the products. The EU maintains the eAmbrosia database, which contains all protected products, and also webpage GI view – Search for Geographical Indications across the European Union and beyond.

Consumers want to know how and where their food is made, and to hear what makes them special. This means that a protected product name is a guarantee of the product’s unique origin and method of production to the consumer.

The additional value of the designation may also be used by many other local players than just the companies that make the products. For instance, restaurants, agritourism and cultural activities gain additional value in their operations by favouring protected products, because the designation adds to awareness both in Finland and abroad.

Quality schemes

Protected designation of origin (PDO) can be granted to a product which owes its quality or characteristics essentially or exclusively to a particular geographical environment. All stages of production must take place in that region.

Protected geographical indication (PGI) can be granted to a product whose given quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. At least one stage of production must take place in that region.

Traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) can be granted to a product that results from a mode of production, processing or composition corresponding to traditional practice. The product may be made anywhere in the EU, but it must be made in accordance with a registered method of production and list of ingredients.

Protected Finnish products

There are a total of 14 protected Finnish products:

Lapin poron liha (PDO)
Reindeer meat from Lapland

Lapin poron kuivaliha (PDO)
Dried reindeer meat from Lapland

Lapin poron kylmäsavuliha (PDO)
Cold-smoked reindeer meat from Lapland

Lapin puikula (PDO)
Potato from Lapland

Kainuun rönttönen (PGI)
Rye pie with lingonberries and potato from Kainuu

Sahti (TSG)
Traditional beer

Finnish berry liqueur, Finnish fruit liqueur (PGI)

Vodka of Finland (PGI)

Kitkan viisas (PDO)
Vendace from Lake Kitka

Kalakukko (TSG)
Fish and pork pie

Karjalanpiirakka (TSG)
Karelian pie

Puruveden muikku (PDO)
Vendace from Lake Puruvesi
Aito saunapalvikinkku (PGI)
Ham smoked in a smoke sauna
Suonenjoen mansikka (PGI)
Strawberry from Suonenjoki

Download Protected Finnish Products for more information (pdf)
In Finnish FI | In Swedish SE | In English EN | In German DE

Official documents can be found in eAmbrosia database.

The Aitoja Makuja business search provides an easy way to find companies that make protected products. Every company that makes the protected products that meet the criteria may use the existing designations above or their geographical designation, and sign their company into the search database. The criteria for making protected products are available in the DOOR database documents.

Protected Finnish products image bank

In 2018-2019 the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry funded Protected Products’ Multimedia Campaign PROMO project headed by University of Helsinki Ruralia Institute and Brahea Centre at the University of Turku, which produced photo and video content free to use in context of the EU quality schemes or products protected under said schemes. However, one must attribute the source and photographer when using the photos: aitojamakuja.fi, photographer Julia Kivelä and the source and the producer when using the videos: aitojamakuja.fi, producer netDesign. If you are not sure how to use the media bank or need higher-resolution photographs, contact Marjo Särkkä-Tirkkonen marjo.sarkka-tirkkonen@helsinki.fi.