Kayseri: A traditional Turkish cured meat specialty from central Trkiye has gained official protection in the European Union (EU), marking another step in the country's efforts to secure international recognition for local foods.
According to Anadolu Agency, "Kayseri Pastirmasi," a beef-based cured meat product, has been officially registered in the EU's register of geographical indications, becoming the 46th product from Trkiye to receive this recognition. The Delegation of the European Union to Trkiye announced the registration in a post on US social media company X on Friday.
Rifat Hisarciklioglu, head of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Trkiye, shared the development on Wednesday. He described it as an important achievement for his hometown Kayseri and for Trkiye's broader efforts to safeguard its local culinary heritage. Hisarciklioglu expressed his hopes for the recognition to benefit both Kayseri and the country, noting the challenges faced during the registration process. He highlighted the collective efforts of experts and legal teams in overcoming formal objections to achieve this milestone.
The EU geographical indication status provides legal protection to products whose quality, reputation, or distinct characteristics are closely tied to a specific region. This status helps prevent imitation and unauthorized use of such products.
Hisarciklioglu emphasized Trkiye's extensive range of regional specialties and noted that the country is home to a diversity of products rarely concentrated within a single geography. He mentioned ongoing efforts by TOBB and the chamber-exchange community to promote local and geographically indicated products. Currently, 46 additional geographical indication applications and two traditional specialty names from Trkiye are under examination by the EU.