Cornish pasty to be protected
Pubs are expected to have up to two years to comply with a new ruling that has given the Cornish pasty protected status.
A decision from the European Commission last week means that from now on, only pasties made in Cornwall and following the traditional recipe can be called Cornish pasties.
The Cornish pasty is the 43rd foodstuff in the UK to be given Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) along with the Melton Mowbray Pie and West Country Cheddar.
Alan Adler, chairman of the Cornish Pasty Association, said: "Licensees should not panic — there will be a grace period. But they should be asking their suppliers to confirm whether their products are Cornish.
"The PGI has been awarded and we are waiting for legislation which will give a timescale of the grace period. It is likely to be one or two years, although it can be up to five."
A genuine Cornish pasty has a distinctive D-shape and is crimped along one side. Its filling is chunky and consists of uncooked minced or roughly-cut chunks of beef (not less than 12.5%), swede, potato, and onion with a light seasoning.
