D.O.P. stands for Denominazione di Origine Protetta (literally Protected Designation of Origin and often indicated as P.O.D.). It is assigned by the European Union to the name used to indicate a product that owes its characteristics to its place of origin, and its production, modification and processing occur within that geographical area (referred to by the name of the product itself and coinciding with a place, a region or a country). Verification of compliance with the production specifications is done by impartial parties recognized by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies. Products such as meats, cheeses and other dairy products, eggs, honey, oils, grains in either their natural state or modified, as well as fresh produce, fish, mollusks and crustaceans, along with preparations made with them, beer and other beverages, bakery and confectionery products: all can obtain the D.O.P.  

To recognize a D.O.P product, you should check for the presence of a seal on the package that is typically red and yellow, issued by the European Union to all products whose raw materials and processing properties can be traced to a specific area.   

The best-known products that have received D.O.P certification are Grana Padano cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Fichi di Cosenza (figs), Cipolla Rossa di Tropea (red onions), Aceto Balsamico di Reggio Emilia (balsamic vinegar), Aglio di Voghera (garlic), Arancia di Ribera (oranges), Basilico Genovese (basil), Capocollo di Calabria (pork salumi), Castelmagno cheese, Culatello di Zibello ham, Fontina cheese, Mela della Val di Non (apples), Liquirizia di Calabria (licorice) and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana cheese.