Sneem Black Pudding gets special status

Sneem Black Pudding has joined the ranks of foods and drinks products like champagne, Gorgonzola cheese, Waterford Blaas and Jamon Serrano after securing special European Status. After a four-year wait, Sneem Black Pudding has been given Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status from the European Union — the first Kerry food product to get this status.

  The PGI status gives Sneem Black Pudding a mark of quality and recognition from the EU and protects foods with a unique link to a geographical area, in this case Sneem Black Pudding.  «It confers a status that puts it up there with parmesan and champagne. It is a unique product from the area it comes from, and it protects the name of Sneem Black pudding,» explained Michael Gleeson, who put in the application for the status for the food product.  The announcement of the new status for the pudding came just days before Christmas and is a credit to the producers of the pudding.  Sneem Black Pudding is produced by Kieran Burns and Peter O’Sullivan — and the fact that there are two producers of the product was key to obtaining special status. Both producers have also created Sneem Pudding with the traditional recipe down through the years.  The production of Sneem Black Pudding in its current form dates back to the early 1950s when farmers had to ensure that every part of the animal was utilised to the full, including the fresh blood and suet. These are the components of Sneem Black Pudding, according to the application to the EU for PGI status.  Sneem pudding is also sold in squares rather than rings, which is another indicator of the product’s uniqueness.   The new status will further enhance Sneem Black Pudding and will help market it around the world, and both Peter and Kieran are thrilled that their product has been recognised for its undoubted uniqueness and taste.