How can you recognise an PDO olive product?

Olive oil or table olives PDO: what information should you look for on the label, which logo, and what guarantees? A guide to making the right choice.

When faced with an aisle full of olive oils or olives, it can sometimes be difficult to make sense of all the labels, origins and marketing claims. Good news: recognising a genuine PDO product takes just a few seconds… provided you know where to look on the label.

The first thing to do: look for the name ‘PDO’ and its logo

An olive oil product with a Protected Designation of Origin can be recognised first and foremost by its name, which generally includes the name of a specific region or place — “Huile d’olive de Nyons”, “Olio Terra di Bari”, “Olive Oil from Provence”… This name is the product itself: it is never merely a marketing ploy, but a legally protected designation linked to a strict set of specifications.

On the label, two elements must accompany this name:

  • The words “PDO” or “Protected Designation of Origin”
  • The official PDO logo of the European Union, recognisable by its red and gold colours
PDO
© INAO

If any one of these three elements is missing, it is not an PDO product — even if the label refers to a specific region or tradition. The logo, in particular, may legally only appear on products that have been inspected and certified: it is the most reliable and quickest way to identify the product on the shelf.

What the label on a bottle of PDO olive oil says

In addition to the information relating to the designation of origin, European regulations require all olive oils – whether they bear the PDO label or not – to include certain details. Knowing these details enables you to make a more informed choice and compare products with full knowledge of the facts:

Reading a tag– Olive oil bottle
© France Olive

Please note: certain details, such as the olive variety or the harvest date, are optional. Their inclusion on the label is often a good sign, as it provides additional information.

What an olive label with the code PDO says

Unlike olive oil, table olives do not have quality categories such as ‘virgin’ or ‘extra virgin’, but their labelling is subject to just as strict regulations.

They must include the standard information required for all food products:

  • the product name (green olives, black olives, cracked olives, candied olives, etc.),
  • the origin (place of harvest and place of preparation),
  • the batch number,
  • the net drained weight (the weight of the olives excluding the brine, distinct from the total weight),
  • the best-before date,
  • as well as the list of ingredients. This is one aspect that distinguishes olives from olive oil, as preparation in brine, dry salt or oil often involves the addition of water, salt or acidifiers, all of which are listed on the label.

For an PDO olive, the name of the designation of origin is, of course, included, the words “PDO” and the official European logo, as well as any details regarding the variety or the traditional preparation method specific to the designation.

Three pillars behind every PDO logo

What is PDO olive oil ?
© France Olive

The PDO logo is not merely an administrative stamp. It guarantees that the product is based on three principles, which are systematically verified:

A unique product: Only a product with specific characteristics and established reputation is eligible for the designation. Every PDO is therefore, by definition, a product in a class of its own.

A defined terroir: The geographical area of production is strictly defined and regulated, as it corresponds to precise climatic and geological conditions that shape the product. It is impossible to produce PDO oil outside this area, even using the same olive varieties.

Passed-down expertise: The methods, techniques and harvesting rhythms accumulated over generations are also recorded — in the application dossier for the designation, and subsequently in the decree that formalises it. This human expertise is protected just as much as the terroir itself.

In summary: to be sure you are buying a genuine PDO product, there is just one thing you need to do: look for the name of the designation, the words ‘PDO’ and the official European logo on the label. All other details (origin, category, batch number, etc.) will then help you narrow down your choice.