From EU Fields to Your Table
From EU Fields to Your Table
Better Knowledge Better Choices
From bustling markets to verdant fields, the European Union’s commitment to safety, quality, and animal welfare is deeply ingrained in every aspect of food production. EU regulations ensure meticulous safety protocols throughout the entire process, with stringent regulations on pesticide use and strict hygiene standards in processing facilities. This prioritizes safety, guaranteeing consumers can trust the products they bring home.
The EU places a strong emphasis on good animal welfare practices. Strict regulations govern animal husbandry, ensuring that animals are raised in environments that prioritize their well-being. These regulations cover aspects like minimum space requirements, access to natural light and outdoor areas, and limitations on certain practices. While the EU has high standards, discussions about further improvements in animal welfare are ongoing.
Each product promoted under the campaign reflects its unique origin, deeply connected to the land, climate, and local expertise of the region it comes from. The production methods used are often traditional, passed down through generations, and combined with modern safety practices to ensure both authenticity and reliability. Quality is safeguarded through strict EU controls that monitor every stage of the process—from raw material selection to final packaging—while comprehensive safety standards guarantee that the products meet the highest benchmarks in hygiene, traceability, and compliance.
These four pillars— ORIGIN, PRODUCTION METHODS, QUALITY, AND SAFETY —define the excellence and integrity of European agri-food products.
EU QUALITY SCHEME
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label is a prestigious certification that guarantees a product’s authenticity, origin, and quality. It is awarded to products that are produced, processed, and prepared entirely within a specific geographical area, where their unique characteristics are deeply linked to both natural and human factors.
These factors include local raw materials, environmental conditions, and traditional production methods passed down through generations. Strict guidelines govern every stage of the production process to ensure consistency, traceability, and excellence.
By choosing PDO-certified products, consumers can trust in the origin and quality of what they purchase, while producers benefit from greater recognition and the ability to protect and promote their traditional products in global markets.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.