Traditional Maltese Mazzit has been officially recognised by the European Union as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) following publication of its registration in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The recognition marks an important step for Malta’s culinary heritage. It follows several years of work involving the Public Abattoir, the Food Safety Authority and its predecessor in the process, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority, as well as producers who formed the Mazzit Stakeholders Group.
Mazzit is a traditional Maltese product that combines sweet and savoury flavours. It is made with pig or bull blood and ingredients such as Maltese white onions, raisins, cocoa or chocolate, and sugar. The mixture is packed into natural casings. The EU product specification also recognises traditional variations and the expertise involved in making it.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security Anton Refalo said:
“This recognition goes well beyond a European quality label. It acknowledges that our agricultural and culinary heritage has value worth protecting and, more importantly, a future worth investing in. It also shows how the government is working to ensure that local products generate added value for our farmers and livestock producers.”
Stefan Cachia, Director General of the Public Abattoir, said the registration grew out of a long-term initiative to revive a traditional product that was at risk of disappearing and create the conditions for its continued production and commercial development. He said the next step would be to turn the protection into economic opportunities and added value.
The work included historical research, development of the product specification, documentation of recipes and production traditions, consultation with producers and processors, and the formation of the Mazzit Stakeholders Group. Investment also went into equipment for hygienic blood collection and processing and into a dedicated production facility, so individual operators would not have to make the same investment themselves.
Food Safety Authority chief executive Clive Tonna said the authority had helped move the registration forward by acting as a link between the applicants and the European Commission at different stages of the process.
“The authority welcomes this recognition, which strengthens the value of traditional Maltese and Gozitan products and creates new opportunities for local producers, including greater visibility, competitiveness and economic potential. Through its work, the authority will continue to support the development of quality products recognised at European level while upholding food safety and standards and preserving the characteristics that make these products unique.”
