Consumer protection and safeguards: proper information on the geographical origin of ingredients. The case of olive oils

Since the nineties of the previous century, qualified geographic names have been covered by a harmonised EU-wide protection system whose main feature is the recognition of exclusive rights. Such rights are generally parallel to those deriving from the registration of a brand. Accordingly, they are not solely protected by the measures provided in the rules on unfair competition but also by a EU protection system based on granting the group of traders that had sought and obtained recognition of the protected designation of origin or geographical indication a monopoly over the use of a given geographic name and the possibility to seek remedy against any unlawful use of it. In this sense, the information provided generally benefits the market as well as merchants and consumers.

Pisco: An endless conflict for its geographical indication or an opportunity for international collaboration?

Pisco is a brandy produced from the distillation of wine, which is indissolubly linked to the history and national identity of Chile and Peru. The rivalry over the pisco’s geographical indication (GI) has a long history, mainly grounded on political claims rather than practical reasons. The article examines the historical background of the animosity, the arguments of each party to support their position and the impacts of the current international GI protection of the product (both from a financial and legal perspective). We conclude that a cross-border protection, allowing a joint binational exploitation of the spirit’s GI, is the best commercial strategy to increase the recognition and value of pisco in the international markets, which in turn, would benefit local economies and producers and notably encourage the cultural integration of both nations.

Product characterization of a traditional sausage aiming at geographical indication certification and entrepreneurship prospects: an empirical study of Goan “choris”

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the physico-chemical, microbiological, colorimetric, sensorial characterization of choris, a traditional smoked pork sausage produced in the state of Goa (India), including its storage stability (0–180 days) at room temperature, aiming at the geographical indication certification and entrepreneurship prospects.Design/methodology/approachA total of 48 samples of “choris” were collected from 24 villages of Goa and were analyzed at different intervals (0–180 days) for physico-chemical, proximate, microbiological, colorimetric and sensory attributes during the storage at room temperature.FindingsThe mean pH of 4.45 and water activity (aw) of 0.78 were recorded. The pH, tyrosine value, fat percentage and free fatty acid content registered a significant increase, whereas moisture content, aw and moisture–protein ratio reduced as storage progresses. The colorimetric values lightness (L*), hue angle (H*) and redness index values reduced significantly during storage. The mean total viable count, yeast and mold, and lactic acid bacteria count were found to proliferate significantly as storage advanced. Nevertheless, the hedonic scores not reaching an unacceptable level (= 4) at the end of the storage period.Originality/valueIn accordance with the various parameters adopted during the study, choris could be characterized as “naturally fermented dry smoked” sausages, which were shelf-stable at room temperature for 180 days. The product characterization of choris is essential to guarantee the genuineness, safety and consumer's acceptability. This study will also rebound in an augmented uniformity of the product, which will favor the geographical indication certification and the entrepreneurship prospects of this traditional product.

Földrajzi Árujelzők Magyarországon – Mi várható a magyar cseresznye ágazatban? : Geographical Indications in Hungary –what can be expected in the Hungarian cherry industry?

Az Európai Unió eredetvédelmi szabályozása lehetővé teszi egyes mezőgazdasági termékek és élelmiszerek előállítási hely szerinti megkülönböztetését, ha azok minősége nagymértékben az adott helyszínhez kötődik. Európában számos ilyen élelmiszer elnevezése élvez nemzetközi védelmet, Magyarországról jelenleg mindösszesen tizennégy. Azonban számuk a közeljövőben várhatóan jelentősen emelkedni fog, köztük két cseresznyével. A nagykörűi és szomolyai cseresznyetermelők helyzetét és az eredetvédelmi rendszerhez való csatlakozásuk várható hatásait vizsgálva megállapítható, hogy a földrajzi árujelzők hozzájárulhatnak ahhoz, hogy a gyümölcsöt nagyobb mennyiségben, magasabb áron lehessen értékesíteni, s a folyamat során létrejövő hasznok elsősorban az előállítás helyszínén realizálódjanak. Mindezek eléréséhez ugyanakkor az eredetvédelemben rejlő lehetőségek maximális kihasználása, továbbá széleskörű összefogás és egységes fellépés szükséges a földrajzi árujelzők érintettjei részéről. The geographical indication system of the European Union allows to differentiate agricultural and food products based on their origin, in case their quality is highly linked to the place of production. In Europe many such products with protected denominations benefit from the international production, from Hungary currently only fourteen products are protected, however their number is about to significantly rise in the near future, including two cherry producing sites. Based on the status and the expectations of the cherry producers in Nagykörű and Szomolya it is visible that geographical indications can contribute to sell these fruits in higher quantity for a higher price while the main beneficiaries would be local actors. However, in order to meet these expectations, all the potential advantages embedded in geographical indications have to be taken, and a wide cooperation and coordinated actions on behalf of the stakeholders is required.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION PROTECTION COMMUNITY (GIPC) AS A LEGAL PROTECTION MSME’S PRODUCTS

A geographical indication is a part of intellectual property rights (IPR), which plays an important role in international trade as a magnet for consumers for MSMEs' products. However, the geographical indication is still underestimated by MSME players; and therefore, this issue requires further attention and analysis as the efforts to study the essence and urgency of the Geographical Indication Protection Community (GIPC) in supporting the realization of legal protection in regencies and cities throughout Indonesia. To support the investigation process, a case-based approach is required with primary and secondary research material sources through literature studies that correlate with business actors, rule of law and government. This study is doctrinal or normative research with qualitative data analysis. Efforts to establish Geographical Indication Protection Community (GIPC) are significant in assisting local MSME players to register legal protection through geographical indications and bridge local MSME players, local government, and stakeholders in sharing resources or information that can increase product competitiveness in regencies and cities in Indonesia on both national and international market scales.

Beef from Calves Finished with a Diet Based on Concentrate Rich in Agro-Industrial By-Products: Acceptability and Quality Label Preferences in Spanish Meat Consumers

Conjoint analysis was used to estimate the relative importance of some of the main extrinsic attributes and quality labels of beef in three Spanish cities (Córdoba, Marbella, and Santa Pola) in a study performed with 300 individuals. Consumers were segmented according to their frequency of consumption. Willingness to pay for different meats was also calculated from the conjoint analysis results. Consumer liking of beef that had been finished with an alternative concentrate rich in agro-industrial by-products and aged for three different durations as compared to conventionally finished beef was also evaluated using the same consumers. The most important attribute for Spanish consumers was the price (28%), followed by origin (25%), animal welfare certification (19%), protected geographical indication (14%), and organic agriculture certification (14%). Most consumers preferred beef from Spain at the lowest possible price and with the highest number of quality labels. Consumers were willing to pay a premium of 1.49, 3.61, and 5.53 EUR over 14 EUR/kg for organic certification, protected geographical indication, and animal welfare certification, respectively. Sensory analysis revealed that, for regular consumers, beef finished with an alternative concentrate rich in agro-industrial by-products offered several hedonic advantages (color, flavor, and tenderness) when compared to beef finished using a conventional diet, while occasional consumers did not find any difference between the two kinds of meat.