Based on the French appellation system the Spanish DO (Designation of origin) system runs concurrently with the European protected foods scheme. Here we explain the various Spanish foods and wines that are protected, including Tenerife honey, cheese from Beyos and olive oil cakes from Sevilla.

Italy has more protected foods than any other European country. This includes world renowned foods such as Parma ham, Parmesan, mozzarella and pizza Napoletana. Here we explain the various European classifications of Italian food and wine as well as Italy’s own equivalent system — DOC (Controlled designation of origin).

Thanks to its warm climate and long coastline Portugal boasts over one hundred protected foods. This includes Portuguese wine, cheese, meat and fish, which is protected by the EU protected foods system, as well as Portugal’s own equivalent system — DOC (Controlled designation of origin)

Many foods across Europe have been awarded protected status to safeguard their unique characteristics or production methods, but do you know your PDOs from your PGIs? Here we explain the main classifications for the EU Protected Food Name programme.

The French protected foods and wine system, appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) is the oldest in the world and laid the foundation for the European system. Foods protected are some of the world's most famous wines and foods, including Champagne, Roquefort and Comté. Here we explain the AOC system and the classifications of French protected foods.

The United Kingdom has a wealth of agricultural produce, of which many are protected under the European protected foods scheme. This system identifies foods with unique characteristics or production methods in order to safeguard their continued production. Here we explain the various EU classifications and the protected UK foods.