Piano strategico della PAC 2023 / 2027
Complemento regionale per lo Sviluppo – Rurale della Liguria
Cofinanziato dall’Unione Europea
SRG 10 – promozione dei prodotti di qualità. | Soggetto beneficiario: Consorzio tutela Basilico Genovese DOP | Autorità di Gestione CSR Liguria: politiche.agricole@regione.liguria.it – www.agriligurianet.it

Recognizing the true Genoese Basil DOP

How to distinguish the original thanks to the logo, label and visual identity

A guide for everyone : everything you need to know to recognize and consciously choose authentic Genoese Basil DOP.

With its intense yet delicate aroma, tender leaves, and authentic Ligurian flavor, it’s the ingredient that best captures the flavor of Liguria, both in pesto and beyond.

Only Genoese Basil DOP guarantees all this, because it is the only one grown in LIGURIA in the typical area, according to the precise and controlled rules of tradition.

Find out on this page how to recognize it without making mistakes!

What is Genoese Basil DOP and what is the logo for?

Genoese Basil: a symbol of Liguria

In Liguria, basil isn’t just an ingredient, but an integral part of everyday culture, agricultural work, and the region’s most iconic recipe: pesto. It’s a deep bond, built over time between those who carefully cultivate it and those who lovingly choose it for its uniqueness and distinctive aroma.

The birth of the PDO to protect identity

To protect this identity and prevent improper uses that evoke Liguria without guarantees or certainties, the Protected Designation of Origin “Basilico Genovese” was created. Since 2005, the European Union has recognized Basilico Genovese PDO as a product grown in the typical Ligurian region, following precise rules and subject to third-party inspections.

The DOP: a public instrument to protect authenticity

The DOP is not a privilege, but a public instrument that protects the product’s authenticity. It helps consumers recognize authentic basil, tied to its territory and the tradition it represents.

The legal and practical value of the Protected Designation of Origin

The Protected Designation of Origin is a right recognized by law throughout Europe. This status gives Genoese Basil DOP official protection, benefiting both producers who follow specific rules and consumers who purchase with confidence.

The DOP logo: recognisability and guarantee

To facilitate the recognition of Basilico Genovese DOP, an official logo has been created, granted exclusively to producers certified by a control body authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture .

The DOP logo is much more than a simple graphic symbol:

By purchasing a product with this logo, you are sure to have:

An authentic basil, grown in Liguria according to the DOP regulations

A traceable, controlled and legally protected product

An ingredient with an unmistakable aroma, which respects local tradition

The role of the Protection Consortium

The Consortium for the Protection of Genoese Basil DOP represents producers, oversees the correct use of the logo, and promotes its value.

It also grants the use of the logo to processors, such as pesto producers, who use Genoese Basil DOP as a characterising ingredient, verifying its correct use in collaboration with the ministerial system of official controls against food fraud.

Label in hand: what must be on the packaging to be Genoese Basil DOP

When buying fresh basil, look carefully at the packaging.

To be sure that it is DOP, it must be named in full as “ BASILICO GENOVESE DOP ” and the following must appear:

the official logo
of Genoese Basil DOP

the European PDO symbol
(yellow and red)

the wording “Protected Designation of Origin” and the reference to the authorised control body

Only producers who annually obtain DOP certification can market Genoese Basil DOP, guaranteeing consumers its provenance, traditional cultivation, and traceability.

Important: the law reserves the use of the name “ Basilico Genovese ” only for the DOP product.
If it is not DOP certified, it is conventional basil, even if it was grown in Liguria.

Comparing labels: can you recognize the correct one?

Three packaging examples to help you recognize the original product.

  • Correct label for Genoese Basil DOP
Packaging showing both official logos (EU PDO and Genoese Basil PDO), the full wording and the reference to the control body. It guarantees authenticity and compliance with the specifications.
  • Correct label for conventional basil (not DOP)
Conventional basil packaging that makes no reference to the territory or the DOP. It is an example of legal and transparent labelling that does not mislead the consumer.
  • Incorrect labeling of conventional basil – use prohibited by law
Packaging of non-PDO basil that uses territorial expressions or references without the right to do so. This is a misleading use that can mislead consumers and violate European legislation protecting Geographical Indications. For this reason, it is considered an illicit use of the name and may be subject to sanctions.

If you work in the basil or pesto supply chain—as a producer, food company, or retailer—this section is for you.

Visit the dedicated section: you'll find all the rules for correct labeling and logo use.

GO TO THE LABELLING SECTION

FAQ:

No. Conventional basil is also grown in Liguria. Only the certified one can bear the name “Basilico Genovese DOP”.

Check for the presence of the DOP logo, the European symbol and the words “Protected Designation of Origin”. There must also be a reference to the certification carried out by the inspection body.

Pesto originated in Genoa thanks to the presence of a unique basil: fragrant, delicate, and suitable for use raw. It is precisely this basil—now recognized as Basilico Genovese DOP—that made the creation of Liguria’s iconic recipe possible.
Initially grown in the hilly areas around Genoa, basil later spread along the entire Ligurian coast, where it has maintained its distinctive characteristics over time. The connection between this area and the pesto recipe is so strong that today the Protected Designation of Origin guarantees the provenance and quality of the basil used.

Because it’s much more than an aromatic herb: it’s a guarantee of quality, traceable origin, and traditional cultivation. Also support local producers who are committed to traditional cultivation and certifying the product’s origin.

Because it is the highest official guarantee in the world that a product is authentic, of quality, and truly tied to its territory.
The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) logo is not just a symbol: it represents a European public certification system.
It is only granted to products that comply with specific specifications and are inspected by a certification body authorized by MASAF.
The PDO logo is part of the European Union’s policies to protect local agricultural and food excellence and offer consumers a transparent choice.
When you find the DOP logo on the packaging, you know that the product has passed rigorous checks and respects the identity, origin, and tradition it declares.

A DOP product is certified by a third-party body and protected at European level: it is tied to a specific territory, follows detailed production rules and guarantees traceability.
Only these products can use the official PDO logo.
A product with a trademark, on the other hand, may recall a local identity or use an evocative name, but is not subject to any regulations or public control. It’s tied to the brand, not the territory.
In short: the DOP logo certifies quality and origin, the trademark promotes a name, but does not guarantee that the product truly respects a tradition or origin.

No, there is no DOP Genoese pesto.
The traditional recipe for pesto alla genovese is not protected by a DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) regulation, so no pesto can be defined as such.
Only the ingredient “Basilico Genovese DOP” is officially recognized and protected.
If you want a pesto that respects the ingredient that gave birth to the Ligurian tradition, look for one that contains certified Genoese Basil DOP: it’s the only ingredient that guarantees the origin, quality, and connection to the territory of its key ingredient.
But be careful: this does not turn the pesto into a DOP product.

Not always. Read the label: if it says “with Genoese Basil DOP,” the ingredient is DOP certified with guaranteed origin. If not indicated, it is conventional basil.

No, even if it is a quality choice.
Pesto made with Genoese Basil DOP cannot be defined as “pesto DOP” because there is no Indication of Origin for pesto as a finished product.
The DOP only concerns the ingredient: Genoese Basil, grown in Liguria according to precise rules and certified by a control body.
Although Genoese Basil DOP is present on the label (a clear sign of the authenticity of the main ingredient), the pesto as a whole is not a DOP certified product. In short: choosing a pesto with Genoese Basil DOP is a guarantee of authenticity in the use of the key ingredient, but it does not mean that the pesto is a DOP product.

This means that the pesto contains basil with certified origin, grown exclusively in the typical Ligurian area according to strict specifications. The wording and logo “Basilico Genovese DOP” are authorized and supervised by the Protection Consortium, which guarantees that all the basil used is actually DOP, traceable and controlled.
Although pesto is not a DOP product, the presence of Genoese Basil DOP ensures the quality and authenticity of its main ingredient and its value in the recipe, bringing its genuine and recognizable flavor.
Choosing a pesto with Genoese Basil DOP means supporting a transparent, high-quality product that embodies a unique gastronomic heritage.