What does PDO mean

“Designation of origin” identifies a product that originates from a certain region, area or country and whose quality is mainly, or exclusively, due to the particular geographical environment, the tradition and region’s human factor. All processing of a PDO product take place in this defined geographical area.

This way consumers are given the opportunity to experience the gustatory culture of each European region and to buy safe, quality products, that can guarantee their production, processing and geographic origin.

Why choose Feta?

• The production of Feta PDO follows the strict European quality and safety specifications under which a product can be certified as PDO.
• Feta PDO is produced in the geographical area of mainland Greece (Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, Mainland Greece, Peloponnesus) and the department of Lesvos (Lesvos, Limnos, Agios Efstratios)
• The milk comes from sheep and goat breeds that graze freely in specific geographical areas in Greece, which stand out for their high biodiversity and special soil and weather conditions.
• No powdered milk, colourants or preservatives are used for the production of Feta PDO which is free of antibiotic substances as well.
• The milk, as well as the production and maturation process that must last for at least 2 months, give Feta PDO a unique taste profile, with exquisite characteristics such as full flavour, rich aromas, white colouring and a consistent but wonderfully soft structure. Feta PDO constitutes a unique authentic cheese that every consumer deserves to have access to!
• Feta is a cheese of high nutritional value relatively low in fat and calories. It also contains B complex vitamins and calcium.
• In order for a cheese to be registered as Feta PDO, it must be certified as such by ELGO – DEMETER (elgo.gr) which is the competent controlling authority. This certification, together with conformity to internationally recognized standards and protocols for food safety and quality, such as ISO 22000, IFS, BRC ensure that all relevant requirements are complied with during the entire production process, guaranteeing consumers that the Feta PDO they are enjoying is a completely safe, high quality product.

REGISTER OF CERTIFIED ENTERPRISES FOR PRODUCTION/PACKING/TRADING OF FETA CHEESE PDO

Enterprises certification is renewed every three years provided, that it is established, through controls, that they continue to comply with the requirements of National and Community legislation. Failure to comply with the requirements, leads to certification withdrawal.