Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is not only one of the symbolic ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine: it also represents an internationally recognised healthy lifestyle. Thanks to its organoleptic and nutritional properties – including its high content of polyphenols and monounsaturated fats – EVOO is one of the pillars of the Mediterranean diet, a dietary model appreciated worldwide for its positive effects on health and sustainability.
Today, thanks to collaboration between producers and promotional activities supported by the European Union, European extra virgin olive oil continues to strengthen its presence in international markets, where there is growing interest in authentic, healthy and high-quality foods. This is the context for the Ecceukch Programme, promoted by the Collegio Toscano degli Olivicoltori, OP Latium and EAC – Association of Exporters of Crete. The three-year initiative aims to promote European-certified extra virgin olive oil in the UK and Swiss markets by promoting PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) labels through combined online and offline promotional activities.
In recent years, scientific interest in the benefits of extra virgin olive oil has also grown in non-Mediterranean countries. In the United Kingdom, several studies conducted by universities and research centres have shown that replacing saturated fats with EVO oil can help improve certain cardiovascular health parameters, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In Switzerland, epidemiological research on adherence to the Mediterranean diet – of which olive oil is a central element – also suggests significant benefits in the prevention of major chronic diseases. A key element in ensuring the quality of EVO oil is European certification, in particular the PDO and PGI geographical indications, which are a fundamental tool for consumer confidence. These labels are based on strict production regulations that establish precise rules regarding the origin of raw materials, cultivation techniques and controls throughout the production chain. But what do these acronyms mean?
· PDO – Protected Designation of Origin: indicates that all stages of production – from olive cultivation to processing and bottling – take place in a specific geographical area, in accordance with the regulations, guaranteeing a direct link with the territory and its traditions.
· PGI – Protected Geographical Indication: certifies that at least one stage of the production process takes place in the specified area and in compliance with the relevant regulations, ensuring high standards of quality, traceability, and authenticity.
Certifications not only protect the work of producers and defend products from unfair competition, but also contribute to the sustainability of the supply chain by promoting agricultural practices that respect the environment and biodiversity. In this way, PDO and PGI become a driver of economic and cultural development for the territories of origin, strengthening the link between quality, tradition and innovation.
For more information on the Ecceukch project and European extra virgin olive oil certifications, visit the official website https://ecceukch.eu/en/european-pdo-and-pgi-extra-virgin-olive-oil/ and follow the updates on the dedicated social media pages. Facebook and Instagram.
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