Last week, on the island of Cres hardworking manufacturers, received the Croatian island product labels.
This year, 78 island producers were awarded the label, 27 of them for the first time. Teresa Vidas – Puhalović from Novalja was among the proud winners. She was awarded the HOP label for her delicious strudel with fig marmalade, which is the latest addition to her many domestic products.
Tereza Vidas-Puhalović is known for her distinctive top quality delicacies and offers a range of savoury and sweet delicacies that can be mutually paired. The renowned Pag cheese produced from the autochthonous Pag sheep milk and olives in brine, marmalade and fig and blackberry preserves, fig syrup served as an ice-cream or cake topping are delicacies your palate will certainly not be able to resist.
The Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds continues the implementation of the project related to visual marking of island products with the “Croatian Island Product” label initiated in the beginning of 2007 to encourage island producers to produce original and quality products.
The main objective is to identify and distribute quality island products which will be recognised as such both in Croatia and abroad. These products result from island tradition, research and development, innovation and invention with a quantifiable level of quality. They come from restricted island localities and are produced in small batches.
The decision on the award of the label is made by an independent technical commission whose members are acclaimed Croatian experts in their respective areas. The label is only awarded to those products which comply with all requirements as prescribed. The final decision is made by the Minister, who observes the proposal of the Project Council.
To this day the label has been awarded to 324 island producers in total (including 27 eco-producers, 28 producers with the geographical indication mark and 8 producers with protected designation of origin) for 1.221 products and production lines from 26 islands (Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Pag, Krk, Lastovo, Dugi Otok, Rab, Cres, Lošinj, Prvić, Ugljan, Mljet, Šolta, Žirje, Pašman, Iž, Murter, Olib, Kornat, Rava, Silba, Zlarin, Kaprije, Krapanj) and Pelješac Peninsula. The products include foodstuffs (wine, brandy, liqueur, olive oil, cheese, confectionery, fish, salad marinades, jams and honey), cosmetic and clothing products and souvenirs.
PHOTO: Croatian Island Product