The UK boasts a rich culinary heritage, with numerous food and drink products recognised for their unique qualities and traditional production methods. These products are granted protected status to preserve their authenticity and regional significance. Let’s explore what having protected status means and which British Foods have it.

Protected status ensures that certain foods and beverages are produced, processed, and prepared in specific regions using traditional methods. This not only safeguards the product's reputation, but also supports local economies and prevents imitation. The main types of protection include:

• ​Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): Products produced entirely within a specific region e.g. Cornish Clotted Cream, Orkney Beef
• ​Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): Products closely linked to a region, with at least one production stage occurring there​ e.g. Scotch Whiskey, Cornish Pasties
• ​Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG): Products made using traditional methods or recipes, not necessarily tied to a specific location e.g. Bramley Apple Pie filling

Including the above examples, there are 94 UK products in total with protected status including other such notable examples as:

• Meat Products – Scotch Beef (PGI), Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (PGI), Welsh Lamb (PGI), Traditional Cumberland Sausages (PGI)
• Dairy Products – Stilton Blue Cheese (PGO), Yorkshire Wensleydale (PGI), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar (PDO), Cornish Clotted Cream (PDO)
• Fruit and Vegetables – Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb (PDO), Armagh Bramley Apples (PGI), Jersey Royal Potatoes (PDO)
• Fish – Cornish Sardines (PGI), Scottish Wild Salmon (PGI)

There are several positive factors that granting a product protected status brings, which includes:

• Preserving the unique characteristics and quality of the product
• Supporting local farmers and producers in that region
• Ensuring consumers receive authentic products
• Promoting cultural heritage and culinary diversity

By choosing products with protected status, consumers contribute to the sustainability of traditional practices and regional economies, and they can taste a piece of local history as well!