C 452/52
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
29.11.2022
3.5.
Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to As an unfermented, rindless product, ‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana’ PDO is 100 % edible and particularly prone – perhaps more so than other fresh dairy products – to the risk of post contamination and spoiling due to an increase in the environmental micro-organisms that could come into contact with the product surface during the final stage of draining the ricotta.
As a fresh product, ‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana’ PDO is not matured and therefore all microbial growth must be avoided during the shelf-life period.
In order to avoid the risk of deterioration, the product should be packaged inside the certified production facility.
‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana’ PDO must be wrapped in paper and packaged in closed food grade plastic containers or in other food grade packaging with a heat or vacuum seal.
If the product is sold for use as an ingredient in processed food, packs weighing up to 40 kg are allowed.
3.6.
Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to In addition to the designation logo, the EU graphic symbol and the information required by law, and depending on the type of packaging, the label must where applicable feature the word ‘fresca’ in clear and legible print, immediately below the designation ‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana’ PDO, in a font 50 % the size of that which is used for the designation ‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana’.
It is prohibited to add any descriptor not expressly provided for, including the adjectives ‘fine’ [fine], ‘scelto’ [choice], ‘extra’ [extra], ‘selezionato’ [selected], ‘superiore’ [superior], ‘genuino’ [genuine] or any others praising the product.
However, the use of brand names is permitted, provided they have no laudatory purport and are not likely to mislead the consumer.
Other truthful and verifiable references permitted under current legislation may also be used.
The words ‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana DOP’ must appear in Italian.
The logo for the designation must be issued by the control body, as instructed by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy.
The product logo is a loop of tri-colour ribbon encircling the outline of a buffalo head.
The above is encircled by the words ‘RICOTTA DI BUFALA CAMPANA’ in capital letters.
4.
Concise definition of the geographical area The production area for ‘Ricotta di Bufala Campana’ PDO includes part of the administrative territory of the Regions of Campania, Lazio, Apulia and Molise, as detailed below.
In Campania, it mostly consists of the area surrounding the rivers Garigliano and Volturno and located between the Sele river plain and the area of Cilento, i.e. along the coast and in the valleys.
In Lazio, it is concentrated between the Amaseno river valley and the Pontina plain nearby.
In Apulia, it concerns the strip of plains and hills in the province of Foggia in the foothills of the Gargano promontory.
In Molise, the only municipality concerned is Venafro, which has only recently come under Molise’s administrative management.
It had always been part of the renowned ‘Terra di Lavoro’ area comprising all of present-day Caserta province.
In centuries past, it was an acclaimed hunting ground for the Kingdom of Naples under the Bourbons.
5.
Link with the geographical area The orographic, soil and climatic conditions of the territories listed in point 4 are the main factors that have been conducive to the spread of buffalo farming in these areas.
The morphological characteristics of the buffalo make it ideally suited to coping with environmental hardship and to being farmed in areas with a typically Mediterranean macroclimate.
The pedological characteristics of the plains, whose soil is of alluvial origin and/or originally marshy