Origin Protection and Quality Control

No product is as inseparably connected to Styria through its development and production as

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil  - P.G.I./P.D.O.

               PGI  -  (Protected Geographical Indication)

            PDO - (Protected Designation of Origin)

These regional ties should be preserved in order to protect this typical Styrian speciality. Therefore, in 1996 the European Union Commision declared "Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil PGI/PDO" with article 5 VO(EWG) Nr. 2081/92.

In the year 1998, over 2000 domestic pumpkin seed producers (farmers) and 30 oil pressers formed the 

"Steirisches Kürbiskernöl g.g.A. (Styrian Pumpkin Seed OIl. PGI/PDO)"

       collective of producers, which is now the "Gemeinschaft Steirisches Kürbiskernöl g.g.A.". This collective of producers was formed in order to protect the regionality and the high quality of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil.

With the introduction of origin protection, through the work of the producers collective, every step in the process from pumpkin seeds into Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil PGI/PDO is documented and kept for our records. The journey taken by every litre of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil PGI/PDO is tracked from its origins on the field, through careful record keeping of the harvest amounts, on its way to the oil presses and until it makes its way into the hands of our customers.

With its designation as a product of Protected Designation of Origin, Styrian Pumpkin Seed
Oil PGI/PDO joins the company of products such as: Champagne, Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto
di San Daniele, Greek Feta Cheese and Nürnberger Lebkuchen as one of the most well controlled, elite and exclusive European specialities.

Following the regulation (EG) Nr. 510/2006 the designation "Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil",
regulation (EG) Nr. 1263/96, may only be used when the basic product specifications are met,
as well as the following criterion:

• The area of cultivation of the oil pumpkin lays in the following political districts:

• The pressing of the pumpkin seeds takes place at the oil presses, which are found in the Styrian and Burgendlandish districts listed above.
• The procedure for the pressing of the pumpkin seeds: the raw seeds are washed, dried and ground into a pulp. Then slowly and gently warmed to about 50 deg. celsius (not enough to hurt it, just enough to relax the oil) and finally pressed; still using the traditional Styrian production practices.
• 100% pure Pumpkin Seed Oil from the first pressing. Every excise stamp, which is found on
  the cap or label, has an individual control number. Look for the excise stamp when
  buying Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil PGI/PDO to ensure you receive a controlled, pure Styrian product.



   



Recognition Symbol

The excise stamp ensures the originality, authenticity and quality control!

To identify genuine Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil, look for this insignia with registration number. Only bottles of oil bearing this insignia contain genuine Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil. The insignia guarantees you that the production of the oil was continualy monitored from the farmer's field to the shop shelves. You can be sure that every bottle of "Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil" bearing this insignia was produced under the strictest quality regulations.

Styrian Gold Pumpkin Seed Oil - P.G.I. guarantees to the consumer:

• proven origin of the pumpkin seeds from Styria, Austria 
• pumpkin seed oil is extracted with Styrian oil presses
• 100% pure pumpkin seed oil from the first pressing