Labelling of regional products

Source: Thomas Aumann - Fotolia.com

An increasing number of consumers are deciding to purchase products from their own region. Many Länder have developed their own labels of origin and quality [e.g. "Geprüfte Qualität mit Herkunftsangabe" (certified quality with indication of origin) in Thuringia, "Gesicherte Qualität mit Herkunftsangabe" (assured quality with indication of origin) in Baden-Württemberg or "Geprüfte Qualität aus Bayern" (certified quality from Bavaria)] or have picked up on the organic production logo Bio-Siegel with their regional indications of origin (Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Rhön region). The trade sector has also responded to the increasing consumer interest in regional products. Large food retailer chains are offering more and more products "aus der Region" (from the region). There is, however, no homogeneity with regard to what "aus der Region" actually means.

To create more reliability in this respect, a study is currently being carried out to develop criteria for a nation-wide regional labelling system. The practical relevance of these criteria will then be examined in a pilot project.

EU supports the labelling of mountain farm products

The EU also plans to make products from mountain areas more readily recognisable. In this context, it is planned to introduce "Produkt aus Berggebieten" (product from mountain areas) as a voluntary label. This label will apply to products that come from mountain areas and – in the case of processed products –have also been processed there.