Quality signs: switching from the French AOC to the European PDO
It was necessary to increase the readability of labeling systems in terms of quality assurance and the origin of agricultural products, to simplify their use, while making European policies in this matter more consistent. This is a done deal as of May 1st: the European PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) logo has become mandatory on the packaging of all products that have the French AOC logo, except for wines which are governed by a different regulation. From now on, all products having an origin name based in European countries are grouped under a common logo. The AOC label will disappear from French cheeses.
AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) [Controlled Appellation of Origin]: the quality guarantee equivalent to a certain soil
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin): the European equivalent of the AOC guarantee
PGI (Protected Geographical Indication): the guarantee of a link between the product and its soil Check the list of French products protected by quality signs here