Denominazione di Origine Protetta or DOP is one of several categories in a legal framework developed to protect and guarantee many traditional Italian agricultural products.  DOP helps to avoid confusion between products, protect producers, and guarantees the product’s integrity. 

Essentially, it is a type of labeling for agricultural products whose characteristics and nature are highly linked to a specific, defined geographic area where that product is produced, processed and prepared, using a specialized skill. 

For example, oftentimes the recipe for a certain cheese developed over hundreds or thousands of years, and there is a very specialized process involved in creating the product.  Additionally, certain factors, such as the type of soil or climate, can have a direct impact on the quality of many products.