DYNAMICS OF CERTIFICATION OF TRADITIONAL DAIRY PRODUCTS AT EU LEVEL AND SPECIFICALLY FOR ROMANIA

Certified traditional products are an essential part of every countrys cultural and gastronomic heritage. The quality and authenticity of these products are ensured by the authentic ingredients and artisanal methods of preparation. Consumers` growing interest in healthy eating makes the certification of traditional products a necessity. In this study, we have carried out a comprehensive statistical analysis of the current number of food products certified under quality schemes such as PDO, PGI, TSG, and also labelled as Traditional Product and Traditional Romanian Recipe, both in Romania and in the European Union (EU). We also looked in detail at the current number of dairy products certified according to these standards. The data were obtained from the EUs eAmbrosia electronic register and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments CPAC electronic catalogue. The results provide a valuable and up-to-date perspective on certified and labelled food products, contributing to the development and promotion of the gastronomic heritage in Romania and the EU