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

Labeling of basil and Genoese Basil DOP for sale

There are rules for the protection and proper communication of Genoese Basil DOP, which also apply to non-certified basil. These rules are designed to avoid misleading consumers. Knowing and applying these rules protects against sanctions and allows you to promote and distinguish this local product for your customers.

DOWNLOAD THE DOP LOGOS

Low definition EU logo
Low definition Genoese Basil DOP logo
High definition Genoese Basil logo
Technical data sheet Logo Basilico Genovese DOP

DOWNLOAD THE COORDINATED IMAGE MANUAL FOR GENOESE BASIL DOP

BRAND MANUAL

DOWNLOAD THE BASIL LABELLING RULES

REGOLAMENTO ETICHETTATURA

Correct wording and logos for Genoese Basil DOP

Genoese Basil DOP always has the two official logos on its packaging

DOP and official logos: guarantee of traceability and certain origin

Genoese Basil is a DOP product, always recognizable on the packaging thanks to the official logo accompanied by the DOP mark.
The logos and the use of the name “Basilico Genovese DOP” are only permitted for basil produced by farms registered with the DOP, which guarantee provenance and traditional production from Liguria.

Indicating the origin of a basil that is not PDO is prohibited by the General Directorate for the Quality of Agri-food Products of the Ministry of Agriculture, even if the origin is in fact correct.

Any use of names for basil that refer to its origin and evoke the protected designation “Basilico Genovese” is unlawful and constitutes an illegal act punishable under Article 2, paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree No. 297/04.

Non-PDO basil cannot bear any wording that refers to its geographical origin as being from areas of Liguria (municipalities, delegations, or territories such as Albenga, Pra', Riviera, etc.), even if the basil is produced and purchased in Liguria from producers within the PDO area.

Why? Because non-PDO basil isn’t subject to verification of its origin, which involves not only its geographical provenance but also its traditional cultivation.

Correct Wording:

  • In the commercial context, it is essential to use the full wording “Basilico Genovese DOP” in every context in which the certified product is mentioned.
  • In institutional and educational settings, whenever the PDO product is mentioned and in every form of communication aimed at the consumer (brochures, websites, flyers, etc.).
  • It is also important to simply refer to the non-PDO product as "basil" in all contexts.

In retail distribution, there are rules for the protection and correct communication of Genoese Basil DOP, which also apply to non-DOP basil, aimed at avoiding misleading messages to consumers: knowing and applying them protects against sanctions.

WHY? Because non-PDO basil is not subject to checks on its origin, which involves not only its geographical provenance, but also its traditional cultivation.

Distinguish Genoese Basil DOP from "my cousin's basil"

The basil sales tag must:

1. Name the product correctly

Basil on the market is divided into two different products, each with its own name:

  1. “ Genoese Basil DOP ”
  2. ” Basil “

PLEASE NOTE: Non-PDO basil cannot bear any label that refers to its geographical origin in areas of Liguria (municipalities, delegations, or territories such as Albenga, Pra’, Riviera, etc.).

2. Indicate the origin as follows

  • LIGURIA for Genoese Basil DOP
  • ITALY for non-PDO basil

PLEASE NOTE: Writing the Ligurian origin for basil that is not DOP is punishable, even if the origin is actually correct.

Why? Because non-PDO basil isn’t subject to verification of its origin, which involves not only its geographical provenance but also its traditional cultivation.

The basil packaging:
how to distinguish the DOP one

Genoese Basil DOP:

The packaging always has both brands and the complete company address.

Non-PDO basil:

The DOP marks are NOT present and the company address is optional: in any case, it is a product not subject to verification of its origin and cultivation method.

The sales label must provide correct information about the product and its origin.

WARNING! WRITING THE ORIGIN FOR A BASIL THAT IS NOT DOP IS SANCTIONABLE. EVEN IF THE ORIGIN IS FACTUALLY CORRECT.