The P.D.O. mark, acronym for Protected Designation of Origin, is a quality certification attributed by the European Union to unique and unimitable foods as they are produced, transformed and elaborated in a limited geographical area characterized by particular distinctive factors both environmental and in terms of agricultural techniques used handed down over time or artisanal.
The P.D.O. certification, after verification carried out by the European Commission, is issued for Italy by certification bodies identified by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies.
Food products with the D.O.P. in Italy there are more than 570 and they differ in many types, from oil to wines through cheeses, cured meats, meats etc ... Among the Italian foods with the P.D.O. mark we find for example: Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Gorgonzola, Genoese Basil, Chianti Classico, Prickly Pear from Etna, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Ascolane Olives from Piceno, Olives from Gaeta, Pancetta Piacentina, Altamura Bread, Parma Ham, Green Pistachio from Bronte etc ...
All P.D.O. they have a round yellow and red stamp on the package inside which the wording "Protected Designation of Origin" is present.