Giandujotto PGI

Subject: Giandujotto PGI

The term ‘protected geographical indication’ (PGI) is a trademark used to distinguish products of a specific geographical origin that have quality, reputation or other characteristics associated with that area of origin and are produced, processed or prepared there.

Giandujotto is a traditional product from Turin, for which the original recipe does not include milk as an ingredient – only hazelnuts, sugar and cocoa mass.

The Lindt Group, despite acquiring the Caffarel brand, a historic producer of giandujotto, opposes plans to obtain PGI recognition for Turin’s giandujotto with the traditional recipe.

The Turin Giandujotto PGI project is supported by a large consortium whose members are major cultural and economic assets.

In view of the above:

1. To protect the traditional recipe and authentic production of Turin’s giandujotto, will the Commission recognise its specific characteristics, assessing whether it complies with the criteria stipulated for PGI recognition?

2. What measures will it take to ensure that objections raised by non-EU entities, such as the Lindt Group, do not undermine the PGI recognition process, in accordance with EU policies for the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications?

Submitted: 8.11.2023

Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski on behalf of the European Commission (5 January 2024)

1. The Commission attaches great importance to geographical indications (GI) as they preserve the quality and diversity of the EU’s agricultural production, give a competitive advantage to the EU’s producers and make a major contribution to its living cultural and gastronomic heritage. Every application to register a geographical indication is thus treated with utmost diligence. As laid down in Article 50(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 (1) on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, the Commission must scrutinise by appropriate means any application that it receives, in order to check that it is justified and that it meets the conditions for registration.

At this stage, the Commission has not yet received any application for registration of ‘Giandujotto’ or ‘Giandujotto di Torino’ (protected geographical indication — PGI). Once such request would be submitted, the Commission would then proceed with its examination according to the applicable rules.

2. As regards oppositions, according to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, the authorities of a third country, or a natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established in a third country, may lodge an opposition with the Commission. In such cases, the Commission will proceed according to the rules applicable to the opposition procedure.

1 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and

foodstuffs, OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1-29.