Protected Designations

France pioneered the protection of traditional foods through legal frameworks:

AOC/AOP (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée/Protégée)

- Strictest designation - Specifies geographic area, animal breeds, production methods - 45 French cheeses hold this designation - Guarantees traditional methods but may limit innovation

IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée)

- Less strict than AOP - Links product to geographic area - Allows more flexibility in production

Label Rouge

- Guarantees superior quality - Not geographic-specific - Includes animal welfare standards