Phu Quoc fish sauce has been granted the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in the EU, protecting its name in all the 28 countries.—File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— Phu Quoc fish sauce has been granted the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in the EU, protecting its name in all the 28 countries.

The sauce, which officially received PDO recognition in 2012, has passed all EU food safety regulations and it is also the first-ever Vietnamese product to be granted this status in the EU.

The ceremony was held during a three day conference, which ended yesterday, between Vietnamese trade officials based in Europe who are keen to find ways of enhancing trade with the EU.

"The EU certification is a remarkable milestone in the development of our nation's branding, which is vital to enhance the value of domestic agricultural products, particularly those for export," said Industry and Trade Deputy Minister Ho Thi Kim Thoa at the conference.

Thoa said that after Phu Quoc fish sauce, Viet Nam is going to put forward other agricultural products for EU PDO certification.

The conference, the fourth of its kind, was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) with the support of the European Commission (EC) and the European Trade Policy and Investment Support Project (EU-MUTRAP).

Representatives from several ministries, as well as 18 Vietnamese ministers counsellors and commercial counsellors in Europe attended the event.

Phu Quoc fish sauce is a specific variety of fish sauce which has been produced on Phu Quoc Island in Southwest Viet Nam for over 200 years.

Since 2001, Viet Nam's Industrial Property Department has used the name "Phu Quoc Fish Sauce" as a trademark, and only registered manufacturers are allowed to use the name in Viet Nam.

While any kind of fish can be used to make fish sauce, Phu Quoc sauce is made exclusively from anchovies caught in the island's waters. — VNS