Logo AOP (Switzerland)In 2000, the cheese L'Etivaz was the first Swiss product other than wine to obtain an appellation d'origine contrôlée. In 2013, the certification was replaced by the appellation d'origine protégée (AOP). The AOC logo is visible on the rind.
In Switzerland, the appellation d'origine protégée (French pronunciation:[apɛlasjɔ̃dɔʁiʒinpʁɔteʒe], lit.'protected designation of origin'; abbr. AOP[a.o.pe]) is a geographical indication (see also Appellation) protecting the origin and the quality of traditional food products other than wines (wines have another label called appellation d'origine contrôlée, AOC, 'controlled designation of origin').
In the past, the appellation d'origine contrôlée certification was used for both wines and other food products. In 2013, to match the system of the European Union, the appellation d'origine contrôlée was replaced by the appellation d'origine protégée for agricultural products other than wine.
Geographical indications and traditional specialities in Switzerland
The appellation d'origine protégée (AOP, protected designation of origin) certifies that "everything, from the raw material to the processing and the final product, comes from one clearly defined region of origin".[1]
The indication géographique protégée (IGP, protected geographical indication) certifies that products were "either manufactured, processed or prepared at their place of origin".[1]
The appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC, controlled designation of origin) certifies wines.
^ ab"PDO-PGI briefly explained". aop-igp.ch. Schweizerische Vereinigung der AOP-IGP. 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022. AOP (appellation d'origine protégée) is a protected designation of origin which guarantees that everything, from the raw materials to the production process, comes from a clearly defined region of origin. Moreover, the product has to have been manufactured according to traditional methods.
