The French Roussillon apricot is to receive AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) labelling.
French apricot producers started a campaign for the label 14 years ago.
'Red Apricots of Roussillon' covers all the varieties of red Roussillon apricots. It represents around 50 per cent of the Pyrénées-Orientales production -- 6,000 tonnes with a 12,000-tonne potential. It applies to traditionally farmed land, as well as organically farmed land. Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is a French system of laws and rules devised in 1935 to regulate French agricultural production and quality, and define its origins. AOC translates as 'controlled designation of origin'.
The French certification is granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters and other products. It is governed by the government office Institut National De L'origine Et De La Qualité (INAO).
"Whilst other departments make great volume, here it is about underlining the quality and preservation of a region and a know-how," said Eric Hostalnou from the Pyrénées-Orientales Chamber of Agriculture.
© 2014 European Supermarket Magazine
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