"Topor Sausages from Vâlcea" obtained European protection, authentic Romanian taste recognized by the European Union
Brussels, November 11, 2025 — The European Commission has approved the registration of the traditional product "Cârnați din topor din Vâlcea" in the Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) register of the European Union, thus officially recognizing the quality and culinary tradition of this emblematic preparation from the Oltenia region.
The product is exclusively made in the Mihăești – Ocnele Mari – Frâncești – Popești – Roești – Lăpușata – Roșiile area, in Vâlcea County, where the tradition of processing pork has been passed down from generation to generation. The recipe preserves established artisanal methods: hand-chopped pork meat with a cleaver ("toporul"), mixed with salt extracted from the Ocnele Mari salt mine, garlic, thyme, and pepper, then slowly smoked with beech wood.
"Cârnații din topor din Vâlcea" are distinguished by their irregular shape, the mosaic texture of the meat, the balanced taste between salty and aromatic, and the fine smell of smoke and garlic. The product has a diameter of 24–26 mm, a length of 30–35 cm, and a weight of approximately 100–150 g. Smoking is done in two stages — cold and hot — and the slow drying gives them a firm consistency and distinct aroma. According to local producers, obtaining European protection strengthens the gastronomic identity of Vâlcea County and offers new economic opportunities for small producers. The application was submitted by the Association of Local Producers in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, with the support of Vâlcea authorities and the European Commission.
Protection through Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) guarantees that the product has local origins and authentic production methods, officially recognized at the level of the European Union. It provides legal protection against imitations, increases the competitiveness of producers, and contributes to the preservation of regional culinary heritage.
Alongside the Romanian specialty, the European Commission recognized in the same round four emblematic products of European gastronomy: "Miel de tilleul de Picardie" from France, a monofloral linden honey with fine caramel notes; "Fűréd" from Hungary, dry and fresh wines produced on the shores of Lake Balaton; "Casauria" from Italy, an intense red wine obtained from Montepulciano varieties and marked by the specific climate of the Abruzzo region; and "Aceite del Somontano" from Spain, an extra virgin olive oil appreciated for its green-fruity taste, produced in the area situated between the Pyrenees and the Ebro valley.
With this decision, the European database eAmbrosia reaches over 3,688 protected names, confirming the diversity and value of European gastronomy.
