PDO-PGI briefly explained

Tradition and origin is needed to produce AOP- and IGP-products, people and their handiwork. Only few Swiss products are manufactured in this way and are awarded the trademarketd quality symbols AOP and IGP.

AOP and IGP products are entered in the federal register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications respectively. This register protects the regional names or traditional designations of agricultural products, the quality and main characteristics of which are determined by their place of origin (wines are protected at cantonal level). If a name is registered, it may only be used by the producers of the geographical region designated.These producers must adhere to a strict list of specifications. The list of specifications is approved by the Federal Office of Agriculture, and regular checks by an independent body ensure that they are adhered to.

AOP – Specialitites with guarantee of origin

AOP (appellation d’origine protégée) is a protected designation of origin which guarantees that everything, from the raw materials to the production process, comes from a clearly defined region of origin. Moreover, the product has to have been been manufactured according to traditional methods.

25 products are now registered as a Swiss PDO in the Federal Office for Agriculture:

Abricotine AOP, Berner Alpkäse AOP und Berner Hobelkäse AOP, Bloder-Sauerkäse AOP, Boutefas AOP, Cardon épineux genevois AOP, Cuchaule AOP, Damassine AOP, Emmentaler AOP, L'Etivaz AOP, Eau-de-vie de poire du Valais AOP, Formaggio d'Alpe Ticinese AOP, Glarner Alpkäse AOP, Gruyère AOP, Huile de noix vaudoise AOP, Jambon de la Borne AOP, Munder Safran AOP, Poire à Botzi AOP, Rheintaler Ribelmais AOP, Sbrinz AOP, Tête de Moine AOP, Vacherin Fribour-geois AOP, Vacherin Mont-d'Or AOP, Walliser Raclette AOP, Walliser Roggenbrot AOP, Zuger Kirsch und Rigi Kirsch AOP.

IGP – traditional specialities

The IGP label (indication géographique protégée) is for products with a protected geographical indication. This means that the speciality has either been produced, processed, or refined in the place of origin. The raw materials used are 100 % Swiss in origin.

So far, 16 specialties are registered as a Swiss PGI in PDO/PGI register at the Federal Office for Agriculture.

Appenzeller Mostbröckli IGP, Appenzeller Pantli IGP, Appenzeller Siedwurst IGP, Berner Zungenwurst IGP, Bündnerfleisch IGP, Glarner Kalberwurst IGP, Longeole IGP, Saucisse d'Ajoie IGP, Saucisse aux choux vaudoise IGP, Saucisson neuchâtelois IGP und Saucisse neuchâteloise IGP, St. Galler Kalbsbratwurst IGP, Saucisson vaudois IGP, Walliser Rohschinken IGP, Walliser Trockenfleisch IGP, Walliser Trockenspeck IGP, Zuger Kirschtorte IGP.