Protected designation sought for Achill Island Sea Salt
THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the publication of an application for a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Achill Island Sea Salt.
Following a national opposition procedure and his department’s scrutiny of the application for a PDO for Achill Island Sea Salt, the application is in order to be submitted to the European Commission for evaluation.
Achill Island Sea Salt is the name given to a hand-harvested sea salt from the waters around Achill Island.
Said Minister McConalogue: “I am pleased that another application for an Irish food product is ready to be submitted to the European Commission for a protected status under the EU quality schemes.
“The process for approval of a product as PGI or PDO is by its nature detailed and painstaking. But I believe that these schemes offer a real opportunity to underline and showcase the quality and tradition of Ireland’s food offering.”
The application, single document and the specification document can be found at
Any natural or legal person, having a legitimate interest and resident in Ireland, may appeal the decision on the application by submitting their appeal grounds to PGIappeals@agriculture.gov.ie by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.
Achill Island Sea Salt has a soft, flaky texture, is white in appearance, with a clean taste and contains no additives nor preservatives.
The rich mineral content of the sea water contributes to its distinctive texture and concentrated salty taste.
Historically, sea salt harvesting and production on Achill Island was carried out until the late 1800s.
It is believed that salt production ceased in the early 19th century for a variety of reasons, mainly a combination of food shortages and the wide availability of cheaper industrially produced salt.