Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 8(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 on agricultural products and foodstuffs as traditional specialities guaranteed
Date: 2007-11-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Spain, confectionery product, mode of production, product quality

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OTHER ACTS

COMMISSION

Publication of an amendment application pursuant to Article 8(2) of Council Regulation (EC)
No 509/2006 on agricultural products and foodstuffs as traditional specialities guaranteed

(2007/C 280/10)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 9 of Council Regulation
(EC) No 509/2006. Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of
this publication.

AMENDMENT APPLICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 509/2006

Amendment application pursuant to Article 11 and Article 19(3)

‘PANELLETS’

EC No: ES/TSG/107/0018/29.10.2003

1. Applicant group

Name:

Federació Catalana de Patisseria

Address: Avda Gaudí 28, 1o 2a

Tel.

Fax

(34) 93 34 80 90 47

(34) 93 436 28 46

E-mail: —

2. Member State or third country

Spain

3. Heading in the product specification affected by the amendment

Name of product

Reservation of the name (Article 13(2) of Regulation (EC) No 509/2006)

X Description and method of production

X Description of product

X Other: Amendment of the minimum requirements and inspection procedures to which specific

character is subject:

4.

Type of amendment(s)

X Amendment to specification of registered TSG

Temporary amendment
to specification resulting from imposition of obligatory sanitary or
phyto-sanitary measures by public authorities (Article 11(3) of Regulation (EC) No 509/2006)
(provide evidence of these measures)

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5. Amendments

5.1. Description and method of production

This traditional product is far more varied than was originally described in the initial specification
submitted to the Commission, and is enriched by a wide range of local production methods.

Pa n e l l e t s m a d e f r o m b a s i c m a r z i p a n

The list of panellets described is not exhaustive: the descriptions of the different types of panellet are
only approximate, each confectioner bringing his own style to the product while maintaining its basic
defining characteristics as regards ingredients and taste.

C o c o n u t p a n e l l e t s

‘Egg-white’ is replaced by ‘egg’.

H a z e l n u t p a n e l l e t s

‘Egg-white’ is replaced by ‘egg’.

Pa n e l l e t s m a d e w i t h c o a r s e m a r z i p a n

‘Egg-white’ is replaced by ‘egg’.

The replacement of ‘egg-white’ by ‘whole egg and, where necessary, water’ is due to the fact that,
following publication of the Panellet Regulation in the OJEU, many craft confectioners stated that, in
their experience, egg-white led to panellets which were extremely dry.

Whole egg (white + yolk) did not have the same effect because, as well as giving the product flavour,
the egg yolk keeps it moist, leading to panellets which were more regular in shape and whose appear-
ance more closely meets consumer expectations of this type of product. Furthermore, the oil in the
almonds used to make the basic marzipan or the different panellet varieties can result in an excessively
soft paste (depending on the almonds' oiliness, variety, age, harvest, etc.). The addition of whole egg
(white and yolk) counteracts this effect, making the product more stable.

5.2. Description of product

Physical and chemical characteristics:

The addition of artificial colourings only is forbidden and natural colourings may therefore be added.
This was an error and we consider that this amendment should not pose any problem as it affects
neither the quality nor the traditional nature of this craft-trade product. Various studies have shown
that the acceptability of a food product to consumers depends to a large extent on its appearance and
hence, also, on its colour. That is the main justification for using colourings in food. The colourings do
not improve the product's quality in terms of conservation or nutritional value, but are added to
improve its appearance and make it more appetising, or to replace colour which is lost during the
preparation process. Panellets are a craft-trade product and therefore subject to greater sensory varia-
bility than is the case with industrial products. For this reason, craftsmen consider absolutely necessary
the use of fruit- and vegetable-based natural colourings which enable any colour losses or variations
occurring during the preparation process to be corrected, but not the use of artificial colourings, which
would harm the quality of the product.

5.3. Minimum requirements and inspection procedures to which specific character is subject

D e l e t i o n o f t h e a d j e c t i v e ‘d a i l y’

f r o m t h e p r o d u c t i o n r e c o r d

Deletion of the temporal adjective ‘daily’ from the panellet production record is justified by the panellet
production process itself, which takes place in two fully defined, consecutive stages. The first stage
involves production of the basic marzipan or fine marzipan and may last one or more days, depending
on the production volume of the craftsmen concerned. This is followed by the second stage, involving
production of the different panellet varieties. The craft confectioners consequently consider that it does
not make sense to talk of a record of the daily production of panellets since, although these are the final
product, the production process starts one or even more days beforehand, when the basic marzipan is
made.

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UPDATED PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 509/2006

‘PANELLETS’

EC No: ES/TSG/107/0018/29.10.2003

1. Responsible department in the Member State:

Name:

Subdirección General de Sistemas de Calidad Diferenciada. Dirección General de Alimenta-
ción. Secretaría General de Agricultura y Alimentación del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y
Alimentación.

Address: Paseo Infanta Isabel, 1

E-28071 Madrid

Tel.

Fax

(34) 913 47 53 97 — (34) 913 47 52 98

(34) 913 47 54 10 — (34) 913 47 51 70

E-mail:

sgcaproagro@mapya.es

2. Applicant group:

Name:

Address:

Tel.

Fax

Federació Catalana de Pastisseria

Avda Gaudí 28, 1o, 2a
E-08025 Barcelone

(34) 93 348 09 47

(34) 93 436 28 46

E-mail:

—

Composition: Producer/processor ( X ) Other ( )

3.

Type of product:

Category 2.3: Confectionery, bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other baker's wares

4. Description of specification:

4.1. Name:

‘Panellets’

4.2. Description and method of production: Panellets are small sweets that come in various forms, essentially

made of marzipan and ingredients giving characteristic flavours and aromas to the product.

There is a large variety of panellets made from three different kinds of marzipan: basic marzipan, coarse
marzipan and fine marzipan.

In varieties of panellets with fruit, fruit products (candied fruits, jams) may be added to the mixture and
flavourings may be added to intensify the flavour. In all cases, the addition of starch (potatoes or
yams), apple, preservatives or artificial colourings is forbidden.

PANELLETS MADE FROM BASIC MARZIPAN

The most common varieties of panellet are described below. The list is not exhaustive: the descriptions
of the different types of panellet are only approximate, each confectioner bringing his own style to the
product while maintaining its basic defining characteristics as regards ingredients and taste.

A basic marzipan is made by adding, for each kilo of peeled, finely ground almonds, 1 kilo of sugar
and whole egg and, where necessary, water. The mixture is well blended and left for approximately
24 hours until consistent. The next stages are shaping and the addition of flavourings. A higher
proportion of almonds may be used. The most common varieties of panellet are:

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(a) Pine-nut panellets:

To each kilo of basic marzipan, 10 g of grated lemon rind are added. Portions of approximately
20 g are entirely covered with pine-nuts moistened with egg. They are then formed into balls,
glazed with egg and cooked in the oven at 280 °C-290 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(b) Almond panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Toasted golden

Toasted crust

Pine-nuts and lemon

Pine-nuts and marzipan

To each kilo of basic marzipan, 10 g of grated lemon rind are added. Portions of approximately
20 g are entirely covered with chopped almonds moistened with egg. They are formed into long,
slightly rounded shapes, glazed with egg and cooked in the oven at 260 °C-270 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(c) Coconut panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Toasted golden

Soft interior

Vanilla

Almond crunch

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 150 g of grated coconut, 150 g of icing sugar and 100 g of egg
are added. Portions of approximately 25 g are made into small, rough, pointed mounds and
cooked in the oven at 260 °C-270 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(d) Hazelnut panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Flambé

Thin toasted crust and soft interior

Coconut

Coconut and almond

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 150 g of ground toasted hazelnuts, 150 g of icing sugar and
100 g of egg are added. Portions of approximately 22 g are formed into balls and covered with
granulated sugar. A hazelnut is put in the middle of each piece and they are then cooked in the
oven at 240 °C-250 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

Organoleptic characteristics

Brown

Sugary exterior

Hazelnut

Hazelnut and marzipan

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(e) Orange panellets:

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 200 g of finely chopped candied orange peel are added. Portions
of approximately 26 g are formed into long shapes, covered with granulated sugar and cooked in
the oven at 240 °C-250 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(f) Lemon panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Orangey

Sugary crust and soft interior

Orange

Orange and almond

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 10 g of grated lemon rind and two egg yolks are added. Portions
of approximately 26 g are formed into balls, covered with granulated sugar and cooked in the
oven at 240 °C-250 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(g) Yolk panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Pale yellow

Crunchy exterior due to the sugar coating and soft
interior with small pieces of lemon

Lemon

Lemon and almond

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 150 g of light confectioner's custard and 1 g of vanilla are added.
Portions of approximately 26 g are formed into balls, covered copiously with icing sugar and
cooked in the oven at 220 °C-230 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(h) Coffee panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Pale yellow

Smooth

Egg and almonds

Egg and almonds

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 8 g of ground coffee are added plus caramel to give the required
colour. Portions of approximately 26 g are formed into long shapes, covered with icing sugar and
cooked in the oven at 220 °C-230 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

Organoleptic characteristics

Dark brown

Toasted exterior and soft interior

Coffee

Coffee and almond

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(i) Strawberry panellets:

For each kilo of basic marzipan, a reasonable amount of strawberry jam and one egg are added.
Portions of approximately 26 g are formed into balls, covered with icing sugar and cooked in the
oven at 220 °C-230 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

(j) Marron glacé panellets:

Organoleptic characteristics

Strawberry

Soft

Strawberry

Strawberry and almond

For each kilo of basic marzipan, 300 g of marron glacé paste are added. Portions of approximately
22 g are formed into balls, covered with icing sugar and cooked in the oven at 220 °C-230 °C.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

Organoleptic characteristics

Light brown

Soft

Chestnut and almond

Chestnut and almond

PANELLETS MADE WITH COARSE MARZIPAN

For each kilo of basic marzipan (made as described above), 150 g of ground almonds are added plus
egg to give the required texture. Portions of approximately 26 g are cut into various shapes, the most
traditional being chestnuts, mushrooms, clogs and strips filled with candied fruit and quince.

PANELLETS MADE FROM FINE MARZIPAN

1 300 g of sugar with 400 g water and 6 g of cream of tartar are brought to the boil (118 °C) and
1 kg of ground almonds and 200 g of glucose are mixed in. This base is left to rest for 24 hours.
Afterwards it is refined and is ready for use.

(a) Chestnut panellets with chocolate:

Chestnuts are shaped out of approximately 18 g of this fine marzipan base and then covered in
chocolate.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

Organoleptic characteristics

Brown

Exterior crust and soft interior

Chocolate

Chocolate and almond

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(b) ‘Hueso de santo’ panellets:

The fine marzipan base is rolled out with a grooved rolling-pin. Confectioner's custard is spread on
top and the mixture is cut into 30 g pieces. The pieces are then jellied and glazed with syrup.

Colour

Consistency

Aroma

Flavour

Organoleptic characteristics

White, sugar-glazed

Soft

Egg yolk

Egg yolk and marzipan

4.3. Traditional character: Catalan literature of the 18th century records that in the Old Town in Barcelona
there was already an annual fair of chestnuts and panellets, which were, and still are, eaten along with
chestnuts and sweet wine on the feast of All Saints. During the fair, huge trays of different shaped and
flavoured panellets, assembled to form pictures and funny shapes, were displayed. Already in the 1796
fair, there were more than two hundred stalls displaying, among other products, panellets, which were
raffled among the people. This tradition of raffling panellets, which was generally carried out by confec-
tioners, spread to many large towns.

People brought the panellets to the church in baskets, large and small. They had them blessed by the
priest and ate them in church with the rest of the community, as a collective religious act.

To give an idea of the consumption of panellets in the city of Barcelona, suffice to say that already in
1920, the Forn de Sant Jaume (Saint James Bakery) (one of the most prestigious bakeries in the city of
Barcelona) bought a thousand kilos of peeled pine-nuts to make only the pine-nut panellets. According
to the Provincial Guild of Bakers and Confectioners of Barcelona,
in autumn 1999 approximately
600 000 kilos of panellets were eaten in the city and metropolitan area of Barcelona, the pine-nut
variety being the most popular (50 %), followed by the almond variety (15 %).

Finally, panellets, according to ethnographic studies, have a ritual meaning, like all traditional confec-
tionery eaten on specific days.

4.4. Description of product: Organoleptic characteristics: given that these characteristics (colour, taste, scent
and texture) vary according to the variety of panellet, these are set out separately in each of the previous
sections.

Physical and chemical characteristics: the composition of the different panellets varies according to the
type of marzipan (basic, coarse, fine) used in its production and according to the variety under
consideration. However,
in all cases, the use of potatoes, yams, apples, preservatives and artificial
colourings is strictly forbidden.

Microbiological characteristics: the microbiological criteria that must be fulfilled are set out in the rele-
vant health legislation (Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993 on the hygiene of foodstuffs).

Presentation: traditionally, panellets are sold retail, in bulk, through confectioners and other shops. If
they are sold packaged, the boxes containing the panellets must be labelled according to the legislation
in force.

4.5. Minimum requirements and inspection procedure to which specific character is subject: Panellets registered as a
‘guaranteed traditional speciality’ must have specific characteristics distinguishing them from other
panellets. Thus, in the making of the basic marzipan, only dried peeled almonds, sugar and egg may be
used. The addition of starches (potatoes or yams), apple, preservatives or colourings is forbidden.

The following checks should be carried out: on organoleptic characteristics; for the absence of starch
(by test with I2 solution), for the absence of preservatives (sorbic acid/sorbate, benzoic acid/benzoate)
and of artificial colourings (by high performance liquid chromatography); for the absence of apple (by
determination of soluble food fibre by chemical means). In varieties of panellets that do not contain
fruit, these checks are carried out on the finished product, while in those that contain fruit, they are
carried out on the marzipan paste.

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The elements set out above must be checked by the Mesa Veritas Español certification bodies and by
other bodies that guarantee compliance with standard EN-45011. The certification bodies will check
the manufacturer's control system and the product characteristics and will carry out periodic follow-up
inspections.

The certification bodies will check the production conditions and the characteristics of the finished
product. They will grant an initial certificate to the companies concerned, who must submit a written
request to one of the authorised certification bodies, agreeing to respect the requirements contained in
the specifications and to carry out the necessary checks to guarantee compliance therewith.

Makers and manufacturers must keep written documents describing the production specifications and
the characteristics of the finished product. Furthermore, they must keep a record of the production of
panellets.

Once the compliance certificate has been granted, the certification bodies will carry out periodic
monitoring and validation inspections, according to the seasonal nature of the product and the produc-
tion volume of each manufacturer. Compliance with the specifications will be checked by auditing
manufacturers' control systems, examining documentation they provide and random checks during
manufacture.

5. Application for protection under Article 13(2): No.