AFIDOP Associatiion
Italian DOP and IGP Cheeses Association
WHAT IS AFIDOP?
AFIDOP (Italian PDO and PGI Cheeses Association) brings together and represents the main Consortia for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) cheeses produced in Italy. From large-scale to small-scale productions, the association covers nearly all certified cheeses made in Italy, representing a vast and highly representative sector. Founded in April 1994, the association has always been committed to promoting the knowledge of certified Italian cheeses by providing clear and comprehensive information about their uniqueness and quality, while supporting the Consortia in their activities. AFIDOP’s efforts to promote and enhance PDO and PGI cheeses extend across multiple areas and through numerous initiatives, such as organizing institutional or promotional events, participating in international fairs and exhibitions, and publishing educational materials that highlight the value of the PDO and PGI cheese sector and the unique characteristics of individual cheeses.
ANTONIO AURICCHIO
AFIDOP PRESIDENT
Antonio Auricchio, already at the helm of the Gorgonzola Protection Consortium, since 2021 is the president of Afidop, the Italian DOP and IGP Cheeses Association. “We are faced with an epochal transformation of the European food sector and of the system of geographical indications – underlined Auricchio – which sees Italy and DOP and IGP cheeses as world leaders. Many challenges therefore await us in the coming years. Challenges that don't scare me and for which I will commit myself 'heart and soul'. With a strong team like the one elected today I am sure that we will be able to face it with our heads held high and with great determination."
DOP
A ‘Designation of Origin’ of an agricultural product is a name which identifies a product: originating in a specific place, region or, in exceptional cases, a country whose quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment with its inherent natural and human factors and the production steps of which all take place in the defined geographical area.
IGP
A ‘Geographical Indication’ of an agricultural product is a name which identifies a product originating in a specific place, region or country whose given quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin; and at least one of the production steps of which takes place in the defined geographical area.
PDO and PGI cheeses, Italy’s dairy excellence: the AFIDOP’s brochure
Italy is the country with the largest number of agricultural and food products with Geographical Indication (GI) recognised by the European Union, a great achievement of the national agricultural and food heritage. Among this 300 GIs, 60 are dairy products, including Protected Designation of Origin (PDOs) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGIs).
These cheeses have a history and heritage dating back centuries and are a main part of Italy’s culinary culture. They represent the Italian way of life, synonym of taste and conviviality, with a know-how handed down through the generations, respecting the rhythm of nature and preserving the timeless traditions.
This extraordinary heritage is represented and protected by AFIDOP (the Association of Italian Cheeses with Protected Designation of Origin and Protected Geographical Indication) to which the most important Protection Consortia belong. It reunites most of the Protection Consortia and, thanks to its intrinsic link with local territories, it ensures the final consumer with certified products and gives due recognition to all the production chains.
A PDO cheese takes its name from the territory where it originated, and it can only be produced in this area. Traditional production regulations are defined in a detailed Specification, registered with the European Commission, specifying every aspect, from production methods to labelling and marketing regulations. The cheese must follow a precise recognition procedure to be registered in the PDO Product Register, including strict quality tests. Only after passing them can the product use the EU PDO label. PGI cheeses must follow similar regulations. In this case, at least one production stage must occur in a specific geographic area.
In the brochure of AFIDOP “PDO and PGI cheeses, Italy’s dairy excellence” you will find information on the products’ historical and geographical origin, the production system, nutritional values, culinary uses and distinguishing characteristics of the various PDO and PGI cheeses protected by the AFIDOP Consortia members.
We hope you will understand why each of these cheeses is an authentic champion of Made in Italy agri-food products, sold both in Italy and abroad, and why it should be cherished and promoted at all levels.
Download the brochure and enjoy reading this publication.
Produced thanks to the contribution of MASAF (Ministry of Agriculture, Food sovereignty and Forests) foreseen in the Ministerial Decree N. 0092974 dated 26.02.2024
Association of Italian Cheeses DOP and IGP
Cheeses
Regions
Consortiums
AFIDOP
ITALIAN CHEESE ASSOCIATION D.O.P. and I.G.P.
Italian PDO cheeses are deeply rooted in the history and news of our country. Their fame is closely linked to the territory in which they were born and is due to the wise and assiduous work of our ancestors, of those who knew how to preserve and pass on to new generations a unique and inimitable knowledge in transforming milk. It is also thanks to them that today these cheeses can triumph on the tables of restaurants and families all over the world.