This means that sardines - sometimes referred to as pilchards - can only be called Cornish if they are caught in local waters off the coast of Cornwall.
It has taken campaigners several years to obtain this sought after protection which makes it illegal for impostors to copy. But the ruling only applies to fresh or frozen fish, not to Cornish pilchards sold in tins, which are canned at a plant - in Brittany!
Arbroath smokies are another British seafood favourite which has the protection, but more illustrious products include Champagne, Parma Ham and Stilton cheese.
The award was announced yesterday by Jim Fitzpatrick, the Food and Farming Minister, at an event at New Covent Garden Market, southwest London, to persuade other regional producers to seek similar recognition for British fine foods.
Nick Howell, the chairman of the Cornish Management Sardine Association, who began his reinvention of pilchards in 1997. He said: “We were determined that the product should not be underestimated. Our problem was that many people had an attitude about pilchards.
“It reminded them of the war or of their school days and many did not want to eat it again. But, when we talked about sardines people said that they had eaten them in Spain or Portugal. So we decided to go with the sunshine barbecue image of a sardine.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
