If you are a gourmet and consumer culture lover, you will have noticed that some products have a distinctive seal. In some cases, it is a Designation of Origin (DOP), while in other cases, it indicates a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). However, you are likely not entirely clear on what they mean and, above all, the differences between Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication.

PDO and PGI Seals

The first thing you should know about these seals is that they are seals used to protect agricultural products. They serve as a reference for quality, since in both cases, they seek to inform about specific characteristics of the product. In most cases, these characteristics relate to its qualities as a product and also to the area in which it was produced.

These seals are collected and recognized by the European Parliament, so they act as a distinctive element that ensures the product’s quality. We usually see them on wines, olive oils, cheeses, hams, and so on. To obtain these seals, it is necessary to meet certain conditions and be from a specific geographical area. These conditions will later be a guarantee for consumers seeking the highest possible quality.

Designation of Origin

To understand the differences between the two seals, we need to know exactly what a Designation of Origin is. These refer to products that have a specific origin, which can be a town, a region, or even a country. However, this is not the only consideration.

To obtain the PDO seal, it is also necessary that the characteristics of the product in question are those of that specific location. Furthermore, all production stages must have also been carried out in that area. Therefore, in the end, it is a high-quality product, produced in a specific way and in a specific manner.

Protected Geographical Indication

For its part, the Protected Geographical Indication also refers to a geographical area, which leads to doubts. In this case, the main difference with respect to the PDO is that with the PGI, it is not necessary for all stages of production to be carried out in the same place. One stage being carried out in the area is sufficient.

In other words, it is a product that must have been produced in a specific way and with specific characteristics that originate in a specific place. However, it is not necessary for the entire production process to have taken place there.

Which of the two is better?

At this point, you may be wondering which is better, but the truth is that neither is superior to the other. In fact, what the PDO and PGI seals make clear is that they are very high-quality products in both cases. The difference, as we have pointed out, is that the PDO is more closely linked to a defined area, but that does not necessarily mean that it is better. The truth is that both offer similar characteristics and production processes carried out with great care to achieve excellence.