Why are some geographical food and drink names protected but not others?!

It has recently been announced that Cornish Pasties have gained an EU "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO) status. They may only be made in Cornwall and they must be made to the correct recipe and shape (sealed on one edge). This will disqualify 99% of the so-called "Cornish pasties" which are sold in the UK.

It is too late to protect Cheddar cheese. The name has been appropriated for hard white cheese world wide for very many decades and the brand protection scheme hasn't been operating that long. Because of the widespread manufacture of "Cheddar" it would just not be practical to enforce any sort of "Protected Designation of Origin".

"Cornish Pasties" were not being made elsewhere and imported to Europe. Essentially the name was just being plagiarised in the UK so it's easier to control the designation.

Another famous "name" that was given PDO protection in the last couple of years is "Melton Mowbrey Pies". This name used to be given to some pretty awful pork pies but now you can be confident that it's filling and pie casing conform to the highest standard.

To answer your question "why?"... Any food manufacturer can apply to the Eurpoean Commission for PDO status. So if a local delicacy needs this protection it's open to the makers to apply if they wish. There is no "ban" on the UK doing this. It can take several years to be granted because of the long waiting list.

I think the answer is in the question --

When based on a recipe that can be recreated anywhere in the world there is no geographical protection.

When the product is dependent on an aspect of production only available in a geographical area it can be protected.

E.g the grapes that grow in the soil in the Champagne region must be 'peculiar' to the results gained form that precise combination of soil chemistry and typical weather conditions of that area, combined with the traditional production and storage.maturation methods.

If the application for protection of a regional speciality is financially feasible, and likely to succeed, you can expect the number of such products to grow in future, if it means more money for someone somewhere... Because of course most products could be recreated to a degree indistinguishable from the 'original' if desired. almost anywhere where facilities were available, and the real value of the geographical protecton is in the economic Giffen Goods principle.

Some okay answers on here such as a recipe is just too common and unspecific to hang it's hat onto one area. However for some things it can be specific and those areas need to apply to have their product or recipe receive Protected Geographical Indication, which relates to the European Commission.

In the UK the Cornish Pasty recently received the above status so, presumably, other foods are in the pipeline to be assessed.

I'm a chef and a fan of this kind of thing...good food needs protection!

Actually Cornish pasties are protected now. Basically they need to aply for protection for protection to apply.

The makers of the food have to apply for protection.

Good question , unfortunately I don't know the answer . Hope someone else does .