Producers should protect against imitation

Regional food group Tastes of Anglia has urged producers in the East of England to register their products to protect against imitation.

Research has found that the familiar Appellation Contrôlée system used for wine can result in customers paying up to 18 per cent more for registered produce.

Schemes open to food producers include Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), highlighting regional and traditional food whose authenticity can be guaranteed though an independent inspection process. So far the only British registered horticultural produce is Jersey Royal potatoes.

“Most food and drink products, but ironically not wines and spirits are eligible for registration provided they can be shown to have a link to the geographical areas where they are produced, or made to a traditional recipe,” said Colin Clarke, chief executive of Tastes of Anglia. “Other European countries have led the way-It is time more of our producers adopted a similar approach.”