A number of United Kingdom food and drink products have been granted protected geographical status under UK law and European Union law. Protection of geographical indications is granted to names that indicate geographical origin both inside and outside the United Kingdom. A number of geographical indications for food and drink products originating in the Crown dependencies, which are not part of the UK, are also protected under the British law. These are also listed in this article.

The stated purpose of the quality schemes is to protect the reputation of regional products, promote traditional and agricultural activity and to eliminate non-genuine products, which may mislead consumers or be of inferior or different character; for example, producers cannot refer to their product as Scotch whisky unless it has been produced within Scotland, following particular methods. The quality schemes include two types of geographical indicators: "protected designation of origin" (PDO) (which are appellations of origin) and "protected geographical indication" (PGI) (which are geographical indications). These two types of designations are available for food, agricultural products and wines. For spirit drinks and aromatised wine, the equivalent designation to a PGI is called a "geographical indication" (GI). In addition, the quality schemes also include "traditional specialities guaranteed" (TSG), which are designed to promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs without requiring any reference to geographical origin.

The United Kingdom and the Crown dependencies together have a total of 94 products with protected status. This is relatively few when compared with Portugal (195 protected status products), France (758) and Italy (882). However, the UK and Crown dependencies have considerably more designations than many other countries, including Ireland (11), Sweden (18) or (for example) the United States, Japan or Korea (none). Most of the products hold either PGI (51 in the UK and 49 in the EU) or PDO (32 in the UK, 31 in the EU) status, with 4 products being designated as TSG.

This list, is compiled according to the eAmbrosia European Commission database and the UK 'Protected geographical food and drink names' database. They list all registered products, as well as all products which were formerly registered or for which registration has been applied.

Legislation Introduction as EU member state (applicable in the UK until 2021) The schemes were introduced by the European Union, while the United Kingdom was a member, in 1993. From 2012 they were governed by Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, in part to overhaul and regulate the protected status system. Spirits, fortified wines and aromatised wines, described by the European Commission as "spirit drinks", were governed by a separate regulation, Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The EU uses three different protected status schemes, which provide differing characteristics and levels and types of protection. Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): this designation covers products that are "produced, processed and prepared" in a specific area, using a particular, usually traditional, method. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): this designation covers products whose "production, processing or preparation" takes places in a specific area. Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG): this designation covers products with a "traditional character" or "customary names", distinguishing them from similar products. Unlike PDO and PGI, these products do not need to be connected to a specific area or method of production. In order to be considered for TSG status, a product must demonstrate that the materials and methods used in its production has been consistent for a minimum of 30 years.

Application under UK law (applicable in England, Scotland and Wales since 2021)

After the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union and the transition period (which ended on 31 December 2020), the UK initiated a separate scheme governed by the same rules, which applies in England, Scotland and Wales.

The designations in effect on 31 December 2020 under the EU scheme (from any country), are since 2021 governed by UK law, which is an amended version of Regulation 1151/2021. Designations applied for under UK law since 1 January 2021, are not recognized in the EU, although an application for registration under EU law can still be made.

Application under EU law in the UK (applicable in Northern Ireland since 2021)

As a result of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland of the Withdrawal agreement, Northern Ireland remains covered by the EU scheme, and not the UK scheme. This means that for existing indications on 31 December 2020 the same indications are applicable as in other parts of the UK. However, new designations under EU law are automatically protected in Northern Ireland, while that is not the case for new designations under UK law. Furthermore, in Northern Ireland manufacturers are required to print the EU logos for the indications, rather than the UK logos.

Application process Applications under the United Kingdom’s geographical indications (GI) scheme follow a defined sequence of stages. The applicant first completes a product specification. This document outlines the production methods, provides proof of origin, identifies the geographical location and the applicant’s connection to it, nominates a control body, and details the applicant’s entitlement to use any special product labels. Supporting evidence must then be produced.

The applicant next prepares a single document that summarises the product specification. If the application meets the scheme’s requirements, this summary is published on the UK Government website.

The published specification and single document are then open to objection by third parties for three months, with a further two months allowed for the submission of a reasoned statement of objection.

Where objections are received and accepted as valid, the applicant and the objecting parties have three months in which to reach agreement on the product specification and single document. Minor amendments may be made by consent; substantial changes require a fresh application.

If no agreement is reached, a competent authority issues a final decision on the application. Either the applicant or a third party may appeal an acceptance or rejection to the First-tier Tribunal.

Products with protected status The categorisation below is based on the format used in the Database of Origin and Registration and E-Bacchus databases. The year is the year of first registration in either the UK or EU.

In 5 cases the EU registered a name of 2 products under the same entry, whereas they were registered under separate entries in the UK. In that case the UK-naming convention is followed.

Fresh meat (and offal) ProductDesignation (System)Year AwardedNotesCambrian Mountains LambPGI (UK)2021Limited to meat from lambs born, reared and slaughtered in the Cambrian Mountains area of mid Wales.Gower Salt Marsh LambPDO (UK, EU)2021A type of salt marsh lamb (Agneau de pré-salé) limited to sheep that are born reared and slaughtered on the Gower Peninsula. It is the unique vegetation and environment of the salt marshes on the north Gower coastline, where the lambs graze, which gives the meat its distinctive characteristics. Protection under EU law was first opposed by France and registered in 2023 following a voluntary change in the description indicating the lamb may be frozen prior to selling it. Isle of Man Manx Loaghtan lambPDO (UK, EU)2008Limited to products produced, processed and prepared on the Isle of Man, using traditional methods. Products should be produced from lambs grazed on unimproved land and if supplementary feed is needed this should be sourced from locally grown grain.Lakeland HerdwickPDO (UK, EU)2013Limited to products produced, processed and prepared in Cumbria. Products must be produced from sheep grazed locally and any supplementary feed should be sourced in Cumbria. Lakeland Herdwick lamb must be slaughtered between 8 and 12 months of age.Orkney beefPDO (UK, EU)1996Limited to products produced and reared on Orkney, using traditional methods. The cattle must be slaughtered and prepared on Orkney.Orkney lambPDO (UK, EU)1996Limited to products produced and reared on Orkney, using traditional methods. The lambs must be slaughtered and prepared on Orkney.Scotch beefPGI (UK, EU)2004Limited to products produced in Scotland, including the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney. Products must be produced from cattle reared, slaughtered and dressed in Scotland.Scotch lambPGI (UK, EU)2004Limited to products produced in Scotland, including the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney. Products must be produced from sheep reared, slaughtered and dressed in Scotland.Shetland lambPDO (UK, EU)1996Limited to products produced, processed and prepared in Shetland, using traditional methods. Products must be produced from lambs no more than 12 months old at the time of slaughter. Traditionally farmed Gloucestershire Old Spots porkTSG (UK, EU)2010In order to be designated as such the product should be from Gloucestershire Old Spots, described as "traditional unimproved breeds". The animals should be reared using traditional farming methods, including allowing the meat to mature on the bone for several days. The Designation (System) refers to all products of the pig, including bacon, gammon, sausages etc.Traditionally Reared Pedigree Welsh PorkTSG (UK, EU)2017The product is meat from Pedigree Welsh pigs, which had a diet of "low in protein where the protein percentage of purchased feed does not exceed 20 % post weaning."Welsh beefPGI (UK, EU)2002Limited to products from cattle that are born and reared in Wales. Products must come from cattle that have not bred.Welsh lambPGI (UK, EU)2003Limited to products that are produced from lambs born and reared in Wales.West Country beefPGI (UK, EU)2014Limited to products produced from cattle born, reared and processed in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire). Products must have a diet of at least 70% forage.West Country lambPGI (UK, EU)2014Limited to products that are produced from lambs born and reared in the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire). Products must be no more than 12 months old at the time of slaughter.

Meat products (cooked, salted, smoked, etc.) ProductDesignation (System)Year AwardedNotesCarmarthen HamPGI (UK, EU)2016The ham is air-dried at 16–26degrees for 6–9months in the Carmarthen area.Melton Mowbray pork piePGI (UK, EU)2008Limited to products produced using a traditional recipe and within the vicinity of Melton Mowbray.New Forest Pannage HamPGI (UK)2023Limited to ham made from pigs which were released in New Forest in the year before they were slaughtered and where they eat acorns and beech mast. The ham is produced in Hampshire, Dorset or Wiltshire.Newmarket sausagePGI (UK, EU)2012Limited to products produced within the vicinity of Newmarket. Products must have a meat content of at least 70% and be made from prime cuts of meat from the belly or shoulder.Stornoway black puddingPGI (UK, EU)2013Limited to products produced using a traditional recipe with a prescribed ratio of ingredients and within the vicinity of Isle of Lewis and "the surrounding 'Stornoway Trust' area".Traditional Cumberland sausagePGI (UK, EU)2011Limited to products produced in Cumbria. Products must have a meat content of at least 80% and be sold coiled, rather than linked.

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