Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the agricultural products and foodstuffs sector, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
Date: 2024-02-14
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: Italy, Piedmont, consumer information, designation of origin, fresh fruit, labelling, pip fruit, product designation, quality control of agricultural products








C_202401488EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
Series C













C/2024/1488


14.2.2024






Publication of an approved standard amendment to a product specification of a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication in the agricultural products and foodstuffs sector, as referred to in Article 6b(2) and (3) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014
(C/2024/1488)

This communication is published in accordance with Article 6b(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).
COMMUNICATING THE APPROVAL OF A STANDARD AMENDMENT TO THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION OF A PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN OR PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION ORIGINATING IN A MEMBER STATE

(Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012)



                     ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’
                  


EU No: PGI-IT-0915-AM01 – 22.11.2023
                  


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name of product


               ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’
            
2.   Member State to which the geographical area belongs

Italy
3.   Member State authority communicating the standard amendment

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Department for Competitiveness, Agri-Food Quality, Fisheries and Equestrian Sports, Directorate-General for Agri-food Quality Promotion, Unit Pqa 4
—
4.   Description of the approved amendment(s)

Explanation that the amendment(s) fall under the definition of a standard amendment as provided for in Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) 1151/2012 The amendments to the specification and the single document are standard amendments under Article 53 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2021/2117 for the following reasons:






a)


they do not amend the name of the protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication or the use of that name;










b)


they are unlikely to void the link referred to in Article 5(1)(b) for protected designations of origin or in Article 5(2)(b) for protected geographical indications;










c)


they do not involve a traditional speciality guaranteed; and










d)


they do not entail any further restrictions on the marketing of the product.




1.   Amendments to the size and weight characteristics
Article 2 of the specification and point 3.2 of the single document have been amended with regard to the values of size and minimum weight of each permitted variety of apple, as set out below:






 


Red Delicious






 



                                 ‘diameter ≥ 75 mm, weight ≥ 180 g’ has been changed to ‘diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g’
                              














 


Gala






 



                                 ‘diameter ≥ 70 mm, weight ≥ 160 g’ has been changed to ‘diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g’
                              














 


Fuji






 



                                 ‘diameter ≥ 75 mm, weight ≥ 180 g’ has been changed to ‘diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g’
                              














 


Braeburn






 



                                 ‘diameter ≥ 70 mm, weight ≥ 160 g’ has been changed to ‘diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g’
                              








The reason for the slight reduction in size is linked to the requirements of school canteens, which request slightly smaller apples for the children.
The quality of the apples is not, however, related to their size. Even with the amended diameter of 65 mm, they retain all the characteristics set out in the specification in terms of colour, shape, sugar content, flesh and firmness.
The amendment enables the product to be more widely available on the market while maintaining the same properties and requirements set out in the specification, with the exception of the permitted dimensions and therefore the minimum weight.
This amendment affects the single document.
2.   Inclusion of requirements for when the product is exclusively intended for processing
The following provision has been added to Article 2 of the specification and point 3.2 of the single document.
Apples intended exclusively for processing are subject to all the requirements laid down in the specification, except class, size and weight, and firmness. Such fruit can be referred to by the designation ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ PGI, but cannot be sold to the final consumer in its natural state.
As the newly added text states, apples used for processing are not required to comply fully with the characteristics laid down for Mela Rossa Cuneo when the product is intended for the final consumer. When intended for processing, the only applicable requirements are those concerning origin, variety and colour. The amendment enables the product to be more widely available, although only as an ingredient, without any alteration to the final characteristics of the product when intended for the consumer, thereby limiting waste.
This amendment affects the single document.
3.   Inclusion of provisions for coating the product with natural waxes
The following provision has been added to Article 5 of the specification and point 3.6 of the single document.
Preservation practices prior to packaging now include coating the product with natural waxes, as provided for in the health regulations.
The requested amendment relates exclusively to the option of applying a wax treatment prior to packaging in order to preserve the typical characteristics of ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ for longer.
Historically, this practice has been widespread in the fruit and vegetable sector, especially for apples. It does not in any way affect the organoleptic characteristics of the product or have any impact on health: natural products permitted by law are used. Coating the apples with wax extends their shelf-life after sale, thereby enabling them to be more widely available on the Italian and international markets.
This amendment affects the single document.
4.   Inclusion of a provision regarding identification of the product when intended exclusively for processing
The following provision has been added to Article 8 of the specification and point 3.7 of the single document.
When the PGI product is intended exclusively for processing, and cannot be made available to the final consumer in its natural state, identification must appear on packaging or containers complying with the legislation. These must bear the wording ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo IGP destinata alla trasformazione’ [Mela Rossa Cuneo PGI intended for processing].
This amendment, along with the new requirements for the product when intended exclusively for processing, enables the product to be identified when it cannot be made available to the final consumer in its natural state.
This amendment affects the single document.
SINGLE DOCUMENT


                     ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’
                  


EU No: PGI-IT-0915-AM01 – 22.11.2023
                  


PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]


               ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’
            
2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy
3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product [as in Annex XI]

Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed
3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies


                  ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ PGI apples are produced only from the following varieties and their clones: a) Red Delicious b) Gala c) Fuji d) Braeburn.
Moreover, they must have the following characteristics:
Red Delicious epicarp: deep wine red, covering ≥ 90 % of the skin surface, with no greasiness or russeting except inside the stem cavity. Size: diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g. Sugar content: ≥ 11 °Brix. Firmness of the flesh: ≥ 5 kg.
Gala epicarp: intense bright red, covering ≥ 80 % of the skin surface, mostly striped, sometimes in different shades. Size: diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g. Sugar content: ≥ 12 °Brix. Firmness of the flesh: ≥ 5 kg.
Fuji: epicarp: pale to deep red, covering ≥ 60 % of the skin surface. Size: diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g. Sugar content: ≥ 12 °Brix. Firmness of the flesh: ≥ 6 kg.
Braeburn epicarp: orange red to deep red, mostly striped, covering ≥ 80 % of the skin surface. Size: diameter ≥ 65 mm, weight ≥ 155 g. Sugar content: ≥ 11.5 °Brix. Firmness of the flesh: ≥ 6 kg.
When released for consumption, the fruit must be whole with a fresh and healthy aspect, clean and free of foreign matter or odours; it must meet the standards of marketing classes Extra and I. The minimum quality standards for the different varieties and classes are those laid down by Regulation (EC) No 543/2011. Apples intended exclusively for processing are subject to all the requirements laid down in the product specification, except class, size and firmness. Such fruit can be referred to by the designation ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ PGI, but cannot be sold to the end consumer in its natural state.
3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—
3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

All stages in the growing and harvesting of the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ PGI must take place in the identified geographical area.
3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to


                  ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ PGI should be kept refrigerated in cold stores in line with traditional methods, where the temperature, humidity and atmospheric composition are such as to preserve its specific quality characteristics. Preservation practices prior to packaging now include coating the product with natural waxes, as provided for in the health regulations. The ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ may only be placed on the market during the periods indicated below: Gala: beginning of August to end of May; Red Delicious: beginning of September to end of June; Braeburn: end of September to end of July; Fuji: beginning of October to end of July.
3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to


                  ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ apples must be packed in packaging permitting clear identification of the product. The words ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ PGI must appear, clearly and perfectly legibly in letters larger than those of any other wording present, on the packaging or on the individual fruit to allow the product to be identified. Where individual stickers are used, these must be present on at least 70 % of the fruit. Together with the protected geographical indication, indications and/or images referring to company names, trade names or logos of consortia or individual companies may be used provided they do not have promotional content and are not likely to mislead the consumer. When the PGI product is intended exclusively for processing, and cannot be made available to the final consumer in its natural state, identification must appear on packaging or containers complying with the legislation. These must bear the wording ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo IGP destinata alla trasformazione’ [Mela Rossa Cuneo PGI intended for processing].
4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ comprises municipalities in the provinces of Cuneo and Torino located at an altitude of 280–650 m above sea level. The municipalities in the province of Cuneo are: Bagnolo Piemonte, Barge, Borgo San Dalmazzo, Boves, Brondello, Busca, Caraglio, Castelletto Stura, Centallo, Cervasca, Cervere, Costigliole Saluzzo, Cuneo, Dronero, Envie, Fossano, Lagnasco, Manta, Martiniana Po, Pagno, Piasco, Revello, Rossana, Sant’Albano Stura, Salmour, Saluzzo, Sanfront, Savigliano, Scarnafigi, Tarantasca, Valgrana, Venasca, Verzuolo, Villafalletto and Villar San Costanzo. The municipalities in the province of Torino are: Bibiana, Bricherasio, Campiglione Fenile, Cavour, Garzigliana, Luserna S. Giovanni, Lusernetta, Osasco, S. Secondo di Pinerolo and Pinerolo.
5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificities of the geographical area

The part of the region of Piedmont concerned is a plateau that runs along the Western Alps, more precisely the Maritime and Cottian Alps; it constitutes a unique topographic feature in the form of a balcony on a narrow plateau between the Western Alps and the Po Valley. The defined geographical area is the principal production area for apples in the region of Piedmont. This is where the growing of red-skinned apples began and developed, eventually becoming part of the local fabric. The areas where the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ is grown straddle the Piedmont provinces of Cuneo and Torino. For reasons of history and geography they have played an important role in developing the anthocyanin colouring of the apples grown there. The territorial characteristics of the geographical area include its altitude, latitude, topography, climate and a particularly intense solar radiation. The temperature range between day-time highs and night-time lows in the area is determined by its location between the Alps and the Po Valley; in the period from late summer through autumn, which corresponds to the pre-harvest ripening season of the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ varieties, the median temperature is 13,8 °C. Such temperature variations are exceptional compared to those generally recorded in most apple-growing regions in Europe, whether they are located on plains or in mountainous terrain, where temperature changes are mainly determined by the rapid passage of meteorological disturbances.
5.2.   Specificity of the product

The characteristics that have earned the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ its reputation are the characteristic deep red colour of its skin and the resulting aspect of the fruit in terms of coverage (percentage of the skin presenting this dominant colour) and the brilliance of the epicarp. This makes the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ easily identifiable in local, regional, national and international markets.
5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product

The particularly pleasing aspect of the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ is the result of a propitious interaction between the geographical area of production and the varieties and clones of apples that have traditionally been grown there. The characteristic red colour owes its quality to the following three physical and climatic factors associated with the geographical area: the exceptionally wide temperature range during the pre-harvest period; the moistening of the fruit skin from dewdrops forming during the coolest hours of the night, with the result that the skin undergoes a characteristic cycle of alternate wetting and drying; morning and evening mountain breezes which have the effect of reinforcing the temperature and moisture cycles. These physical phenomena, combined with exposure to sunlight, influence the formation and development of anthocyanins, the antioxidant pigments responsible for the colour of the epicarp. The formation of pigments is closely linked to the temperature range. The colour coverage, as perceived by the human eye, depends on the percentage of cells containing pigments and the degree of anthocyanin dilution in the cells. The development of anthocyanins is influenced by the wetting and drying cycle combined with the quality of sunlight exposure. A document drawn up by the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, in the province of Cuneo, gives a thorough account of the growing of red-skinned apples in the geographical area. In the 18th century, as the ideas of the Enlightenment took hold, several agricultural academies and associations were founded in Piedmont to which we owe extensive varietal research, the spread of new cultivars and the development of growing techniques on a scientific basis. Thus conditions were created that were conducive to the spread of red-skinned apple varieties, particularly appreciated for the intensity and brilliance of the colour they develop in the Cuneo environment.
The development of modern apple-growing in Cuneo dates back to the 1950s and 60s, and among the range of varieties grown, red-skinned apples steadily gained ground until they reached the predominance they enjoy today. The term ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ took hold in the 1960s and 70s, when it started to appear in accounting records and in the journey forms accompanying products intended for the internal market. The first promotional campaign referring to the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ also dates back to this period, and in the 1980s the name appeared on the invoices of exported products. Over the same period the ‘Mela Rossa Cuneo’ was shown at fruit-growing fairs intended not only for professional growers but also for consumers, and in the first decade of the 21st Century its commercial identity was increasingly consolidated through projects promoting its sale at large retail outlets in the north-west of Italy.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/files/1/3/5/D.1a2ffc3636ef22504344/dm_modifica_ordinaria_Mela_Rossa_Cuneo_09.23.pdf


(1)  
            OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/1488/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)