The European Union has ruled.
Why would Champagne uniqueness be protected while copycats can claim their inauthentic baked goods as Cornish Pasty. This injustice has been stamped out.
James Meikle shares all practical details in Cornish pasty wins protected status from European commission (Guardian, February 22).
In short "only pasties made in Cornwall to the traditional recipe can be labelled as Cornish pasties."
They received a label I was not familiar with, protected geographical indication or PGI.
PGI is one of 3 labels that European Union has for agricultural products and foods (official description below):
- PDO– covers agricultural products and foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how.
- PGI– covers agricultural products and foodstuffs closely linked to the geographical area. At least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the area.
- TSG– highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production
The byzantine rules don't prevent Cornish Pasty's final step (baking) to take place outside Cornwall.
Learn what makes a Genuine Cornish Pasty thanks to Cornish Pasty Association.
(* Illustration from Cornish Pasty Association site)