Guaranteed traditional specialty

Also called: TSG or traditional specialties guaranteed(TSG)

The guaranteed traditional specialty is part of a European regulation to protect regional products from imitation. Some 600 products are defined where and/or how they may be produced. This list is divided into the categories of protected geographical indication, protected designation of origin and traditional speciality guaranteed.

Guaranteed traditional specialties are products that have been traditionally made for more than 30 years. Products may only be sold under the relevant protected name if they have been prepared according to the traditional and controlled method of preparation. Unlike protected geographical indications and designations of origin, guaranteed traditional specialties and their designations are expressly concerned with their composition and traditional method of preparation rather than their origin.

Some examples of guaranteed traditional specialties:

• Dutch farm cheese
• Dutch New Year
• Soft sugar
• Mozerella cheese
• Serannoham
• Belgian beers Kriek and Geuze

Products that meet the requirements may carry the mark of guaranteed traditional specialty. However, mentioning this seal is not mandatory; the product is also protected by just using the name.