La protezione delle denominazioni geografiche dei prodotti alimentari nell’Unione europea dopo il regolamento 1151/2012 UE

This article outlines the new rules introduced by Regulation 1151/2012/EU concerning geographical names of foodstuff. The analysis starts with an introduction on the evolution of food quality policy in the European Union, and its impact on Regulation 1151/2012/EU. The Author focuses on the most important changes in article 13 of the Regulation, with specific attention to the responsibility to protect the geographical names ex officio, and the extension of the protection to geographical indication food labelled as characterizing ingredient. The article ends with the outcomes of a research on consumer awareness-level of the differences between P.O.D. /P.G.I. and generic products with a similar appearance. The research highlights the frequent misleading presentation of the generic one, and the comment underlines the limits of the regulation in protecting the geographical named products in this unfair competition.