The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO or AOP in French) is a certification mark granted by the European Union to certain food products, including cheese. PDO is a good marker for several reasons:
Quality assurance: The PDO certification ensures that the cheese is made using traditional methods and ingredients and meets strict quality standards. This certification guarantees that you are getting a high-quality cheese that is produced according to centuries-old techniques and traditions.
Authenticity: The PDO certification is a guarantee of authenticity, as it guarantees that the cheese is made in a specific region using traditional methods and specific ingredients. This helps to preserve the unique flavors and characteristics of each cheese, ensuring that consumers are not being misled or deceived.
Food safety: The PDO certification also ensures that the cheese is safe to eat, as it undergoes rigorous testing and inspection to meet strict health and safety standards.
Preservation of cultural heritage: The PDO certification promotes methods and techniques that are unique to a particular region. This promotion helps preserve the cultural heritage and history of a region's cheese-making traditions.
Economic benefits: The PDO certification provides economic benefits to its regions as it supports local agriculture, small-scale production, and traditional artisanal methods, helping to promote local economies and preserve cultural heritage.
Promotion of sustainable agriculture: The PDO certification promotes sustainable agriculture and biodiversity by preserving traditional farming and cheese-making practices. This helps to protect the environment, reduce the use of pesticides, and promote the use of local resources.