Traditional speciality guaranteed

A traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG; pl.: traditional specialities guaranteed) is a traditional food product protected under European Union and/or United Kingdom law. This label differs from the geographical indications protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI) in that the TSG label does not certify that the protected food product has a link to a specific geographical area, and thus a product can be produced outside the area or country from which it originates.

EU Traditional Speciality Guaranteed logo in Spanish
UK Traditional Speciality Guaranteed

To qualify for the TSG label, a food must be of "specific character" and its raw materials, production method, or processing must be "traditional". Title III of European Union Regulation 1151/2012 (Articles 17-26) deals with the TSG scheme, with specific terms defined in Article 3: "specific character" is defined as "the characteristic production attributes which distinguish a product clearly from other similar products of the same category", and "traditional" is defined as "proven usage on the domestic market for a period that allows transmission between generations; this period is to be at least 30 years".[1]

For a food name to be registrable under the TSG scheme it must (a) have been traditionally used to refer to the specific product or (b) identify the traditional character or specific character of the product.

A TSG creates an exclusive right over the registered product name. Accordingly, the registered product name can be used by only those producers who conform to the registered production method and product specifications.

"The legal function of the TSG is to certify that a particular agricultural product objectively possesses specific characteristics which differentiate it from all others in its category, and that its raw materials, composition or method of production have been consistent for a minimum of 30 years. Thus, TSG food denominations are registered trade signs with a distinctive function."[2]

Use of geographical indications in TSG

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Some TSG designations require the use of products with a protected designation of origin, protected geographical indication, or another traditional speciality guaranteed for their preparation.

Lists of TSG products by country

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All 64 TSG registered before 1 March 2024 in the EU are also protected in the UK. As of 18 April 2021, 65 TSG have been registered (see list) in the UK and 70 in the EU, all of which originate from the EU or the UK.[6] The distribution by country of application is shown below:

TSG by country
Country EU law registrations UK law registrations Example
Austria 3 3 Heumilch / Haymilk / Latte fieno / Lait de foin / Leche de heno
Belgium 2 2 Vieille Gueuze / Vieille Gueuze-Lambic / Vieux Lambic / Oude Geuze / Oude Geuze-Lambiek / Oude Lambiek
Bulgaria 7 5 ЛуканкаПанагюрска / Lukanka Panagyurska
Czech Republic 5 5 Tradiční Lovecký salám / Tradičná Lovecká saláma
Finland 3 3 Karjalanpiirakka
France 3 2 Moules de bouchot
Hungary 2 2 Tepertős pogácsa
Italy 4 3 Pizza Napoletana
Latvia 3 3 Sklandrausis
Lithuania 2 2 Lietuviškas skilandis
Netherlands 4 4 Hollandse maatjesharing / Hollandse Nieuwe / Holländischer Matjes
Poland 10 10 Trójniak staropolski tradycyjny
Portugal 2 1 Bacalhau de Cura Tradicional Portuguesa
Romania 1 0 Salată tradițională cu icre de crap
Spain 2 2 Jamón Serrano
Slovakia 3 3 Bratislavský rožok / Pozsonyi kiflia
Slovenia 4 3 Belokranjska pogača
Sweden 1 1 Hushållsost
United Kingdom 4 4 Traditional Bramley Apple Pie Filling

References

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  1. ^ "Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs". European Union. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tosato, Andrea (2013). "The Protection of Traditional Foods in the EU: Traditional Specialities Guaranteed". European Law Journal. 19 (4): 545–576. doi:10.1111/eulj.12040. S2CID 154449313.
  3. ^ "Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2019/C 393/04)". European Union. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2020/C 115/05)". European Union. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2021/C 504/22) Vincisgrassi alla maceratese". European Commission. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  6. ^ "eAmbrozia-TSG". EU.