CROATIAN OILS OF PROTECTED ORIGIN AND PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN

Maslinovo ulje, ključna komponenta mediteranske prehrane, donosi izvanrednu prehrambenu vrijednost i bogatu povijest koja seže tisućama godina unatrag. Njegova uloga u promicanju zdravlja srca, reguliranju šećera u krvi te jačanju imunološkog sustava je neizmjerljivo važna. U radu se istražuje i naglašava značaj europskih oznaka kvalitete poput „zaštićene oznake izvornosti“ (ZOI) i „zaštićene oznake zemljopisnog porijekla“ (ZOZP) u zaštiti i promociji maslinovog ulja. Ove oznake osiguravaju očuvanje tradicionalnih proizvodnih metoda i autentičnih karakteristika maslinovog ulja, potičući istodobno ekonomski razvoj ruralnih područja. U radu se proučava kako navedene oznake utječu na proizvodnju, tržišnu vrijednost i percepciju maslinovog ulja, ističući njihovu ključnu ulogu u promociji iznimne kvalitete i jedinstvenosti maslinovog ulja iz različitih dijelova Europe. Osim toga, obrazlaže se vitalna uloga maslinovog ulja u prehrani i zdravlju te se istražuje kako njegove prehrambene karakteristike doprinose dobrobiti ljudskog tijela.Olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, brings extraordinary nutritional value and a rich history that goes back thousands of years. Its role in promoting heart health, regulating blood sugar and strengthening the immune system is immeasurably important. The paper investigates and emphasizes the importance of European quality marks such as “protected designation of origin” (PDO) and “protected designation of geographical origin” (PGO) in the protection and promotion of olive oil. These labels ensure the preservation of traditional production methods and the authentic characteristics of olive oil, while at the same time encouraging the economic development of rural areas. The paper studies how the mentioned labels affect the production, market value and perception of olive oil, emphasizing their key role in promoting the exceptional quality and uniqueness of olive oil from different parts of Europe. In addition, the vital role of olive oil in nutrition and health is explained, and how its nutritional characteristics contribute to the well-being of the human body is explored