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Melton Mowbray’s iconic pork pie exemplifies the UK’s Geographical Indication (GI) scheme, which protects regional food and drink authenticity—currently covering 99 products like Cornish pasties and Scotch beef. Managed by Defra, GI status (spanning TSG, PDO, and PGI designations) guarantees quality and origin, boosting sales value significantly.
Applications require proving a traditional link to the region, though often face hurdles; Dundee cake and Lincolnshire sausages were previously rejected for lacking unique regional ties. Recent additions include Welsh heather honey, while hopefuls like the Teesside parmo await 2026 approval. The scheme safeguards heritage, from Cornish clotted cream to lesser-known specialties, ensuring products meet strict production standards tied to their locale.
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