UK’s protected food names boost EU economy and increase jobs

More than 60 unique British foods have now achieved protected status to help safeguard these iconic products and deliver a major boost to the economy.

Anglesey sea salt, West Country beef and West Country lamb have all today had their protected food name status confirmed by the European Union – joining the ranks of some of the UK’s best-loved foods such as Welsh lamb, Melton Mowbray pork pies and stilton cheese.

It’s estimated that these food items helped contribute more than £900 million to the European economy.

Sixty-two of these items have now gained the prestigious award that protects their authenticity and origin from imitation and fraud. Defra is working with the food industry to inspire further applications for protected food name status.

Farming Minister, George Eustice, says the legal protection of the quality, provenance and reputation of British food will help small businesses make a valuable economic contribution both locally and nationally: “We now want to help many more UK food producers who are thinking about making an application for protected name status to get their quality produce fully recognised. Having been awarded the protected food name status, the family business of Halen Mon Anglesey sea salt is expected to grow its workforce by 25 per cent this year.”