04/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 4 November, the European Commission approved a new Finnish protected geographical indication (PGI): ‘Aito saunapalvikinkku’/‘Äkta basturökt skinka’. It is a meat product made from whole-muscle ham. The product is smoked over alder wood using a direct smoking method in a smoke sauna. This specific process is strongly rooted in Finnish sauna culture. Sauna-cured ham is prepared in Finland according to traditional recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. The new name will be added to the list of 1,599 agricultural products already protected at EU level. (LC)