A traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG; pl.: traditional specialities guaranteed) is a traditional food product protected under European Union and/or United Kingdom law. This label differs from the geographical indications protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) in that the TSG label does not certify that the protected food product has a link to a specific geographical area, and thus a product can be produced outside the area or country from which it originates.
To qualify for the TSG label, a food must be of "specific character" and its raw materials, production method, or processing must be "traditional". Title III of European Union Regulation 1151/2012 (Articles 17-26) deals with the TSG scheme, with specific terms defined in Article 3: "specific character" is defined as "the characteristic production attributes which distinguish a product clearly from other similar products of the same category", and "traditional" is defined as "proven usage on the domestic market for a period that allows transmission between generations; this period is to be at least 30 years". [1]
For a food name to be registrable under the TSG scheme it must (a) have been traditionally used to refer to the specific product or (b) identify the traditional character or specific character of the product.
A TSG creates an exclusive right over the registered product name. Accordingly, the registered product name can be used by only those producers who conform to the registered production method and product specifications.
"The legal function of the TSG is to certify that a particular agricultural product objectively possesses specific characteristics which differentiate it from all others in its category, and that its raw materials, composition or method of production have been consistent for a minimum of 30 years. Thus, TSG food denominations are registered trade signs with a distinctive function." [2]
Some TSG designations require the use of products with a protected designation of origin, protected geographical indication, or another traditional speciality guaranteed for their preparation.
All 64 TSG registered before 1 March 2024 in the EU are also protected in the UK. As of 18 April 2021, 65 TSG have been registered (see list) in the UK and 70 in the EU, all of which originate from the EU or the UK. [6] The distribution by country of application is shown below:
Country | EU law registrations | UK law registrations | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Austria | 3 | 3 | Heumilch / Haymilk / Latte fieno / Lait de foin / Leche de heno |
Belgium | 2 | 2 | Vieille Gueuze / Vieille Gueuze-Lambic / Vieux Lambic / Oude Geuze / Oude Geuze-Lambiek / Oude Lambiek |
Bulgaria | 7 | 5 | ЛуканкаПанагюрска / Lukanka Panagyurska |
Czech Republic | 5 | 5 | Tradiční Lovecký salám / Tradičná Lovecká saláma |
Finland | 3 | 3 | Karjalanpiirakka |
France | 3 | 2 | Moules de bouchot |
Hungary | 2 | 2 | Tepertős pogácsa |
Italy | 4 | 3 | Pizza Napoletana |
Latvia | 3 | 3 | Sklandrausis |
Lithuania | 2 | 2 | Lietuviškas skilandis |
Netherlands | 4 | 4 | Hollandse maatjesharing / Hollandse Nieuwe / Holländischer Matjes |
Poland | 10 | 10 | Trójniak staropolski tradycyjny |
Portugal | 2 | 1 | Bacalhau de Cura Tradicional Portuguesa |
Romania | 1 | 0 | Salată tradițională cu icre de crap |
Spain | 2 | 2 | Jamón Serrano |
Slovakia | 3 | 3 | Bratislavský rožok / Pozsonyi kiflia |
Slovenia | 4 | 3 | Belokranjska pogača |
Sweden | 1 | 1 | Hushållsost |
United Kingdom | 4 | 4 | Traditional Bramley Apple Pie Filling |
Mozzarella is a semi-soft non-aged cheese prepared by the pasta filata ('stretched-curd') method with origins from southern Italy.
Three European Union schemes of geographical indications and traditional specialties, known as protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI), and traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG), promote and protect names of agricultural products and foodstuffs, wines and spirits. Products registered under one of the three schemes may be marked with the logo for that scheme to help identify those products. The schemes are based on the legal framework provided by the EU Regulation No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs. This regulation applies within the EU as well as in Northern Ireland. Protection of the registered products is gradually expanded internationally via bilateral agreements between the EU and non-EU countries. It ensures that only products genuinely originating in that region are allowed to be identified as such in commerce. The legislation first came into force in 1992. The purpose of the law is to protect the reputation of the regional foods, promote rural and agricultural activity, help producers obtain a premium price for their authentic products, and eliminate the unfair competition and misleading of consumers by non-genuine products, which may be of inferior quality or of a different flavour. Critics argue that many of the names, sought for protection by the EU, have become commonplace in trade and should not be protected.
Burrata is an Italian cow's milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer casing is solid cheese, while the inside contains stracciatella and clotted cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture. It is a speciality of the Puglia region of southern Italy.
Bryndza or brynza is a sheep milk cheese made across the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, most notably in Slovakia. Bryndza cheese is creamy white in appearance, known for its characteristic strong smell and taste. The cheese is white, tangy, crumbly and slightly moist. It has characteristic odor and flavor with a notable taste of butyric acid. The overall flavor sensation begins slightly mild, then goes strong and finally fades to a salty finish. Recipes differ slightly across countries.
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. The use of a geographical indication, as an indication of the product's source, is intended as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a good reputation due to its geographical origin.
Parmo, or Teesside Parmesan, is a dish originating in Middlesbrough, England, and a popular item of take-away food in the Teesside area. It consists of a breaded cutlet of chicken or pork topped with a white béchamel sauce and cheese, usually cheddar.
Taşköprü is a town in Kastamonu Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is the seat of Taşköprü District. Its population is 17,048 (2021). The town lies at an elevation of 553 m (1,814 ft).
Bryndza Podhalańska is a Polish variety of the soft cheese Bryndza, from the Podhale region, it is made from sheep's milk.
Neapolitan pizza is the version of the round pizza typically prepared in the Italian city of Naples and characterised by a soft, thin dough with high edges. The tomatoes are traditionally either San Marzano tomatoes or pomodorini del Piennolo del Vesuvio, which grow on the volcanic plains to the south of Mount Vesuvius, and the cheese is traditionally mozzarella di bufala campana or fior di latte di Agerola. Pizza napoletana is a traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) product in the European Union and the United Kingdom, and the art of its making is included on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
Rupjmaize is a traditional dark bread made from rye and is considered to be the staple of the Latvian diet. The first written references to Latvian rye bread are found in a recipes book dating back to 1901.
Vincisgrassi, also spelled vincesgrassi, is a typical Marche pasta dish similar to lasagna, considered one of the gastronomic emblems of the Marche cuisine.
The protected designation of origin (PDO) is a type of geographical indication of the European Union aimed at preserving the designations of origin of food-related products. The designation was created in 1992 and its main purpose is to designate products that have been produced, processed and developed in a specific geographical area, using the recognized know-how of local producers and ingredients from the region concerned.
Haymilk is a dairy milk produced from animals that have mainly been fed fresh grass and (dry) hay, rather than fermented fodder. The milk is thus produced according to the tradition in the Alps. The term haymilk is registered as a traditional speciality guaranteed in the UK and the European Union, and can only be used for milk produced corresponding to those specifications.