This year we congratulate the INAO which was founded in 1935, 80 years ago. Then it was called Institut national des appellations d’origine. Nowadays the name has changed to the Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité. But fortunately they kept the handy abbreviation. INAO is a public body working under the French Ministry of Agriculture.
INAO monitors the French AOC/AOP (“appellations”) and IGP (wine, olive oil, cheese, Bresse chicken, etc) and also the labels that only applies to foods, like Label Rouge (delicious chickens) and Spécialité Traditionnelle Garantie. It also ensures that the rules of organic farming are observed. Of the annual budget of 20 million euro 70% is provided by the state and the rest by various producer associations. Congratulations octogenarian! www.inao.gouv.fr
