Achill Island Sea Salt joins Champagne with designated EU protected status

Achill Island Sea Salt has joined the likes of Champagne, Stilton blue cheese and other esteemed ranks of food and drink products by being designated EU protected status.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue today (Wednesday) announced that the application for a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Achill Island Sea Salt has been successful.

The European Commission Regulation advising of the registration of “Achill Island Sea Salt” as a Protected Designation of Origin has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will come into force on the twentieth day following its publication.

'Achill Island Sea Salt' is the name given to a hand harvested sea salt from the waters around Achill Island, Co Mayo, Ireland and achieving PDO status will mean that producers of Achill Island Sea Salt may use the PDO logo on their products.

The Department of Agriculture launched the application to register 'Achill Island Sea Salt' as a PDO in August 2020 along with 'Irish Grass Fed Beef' as the name given to quality Irish beef raised on a grass based diet on pasture grazing farms in Ireland.

Minister McConalogue congratulated Achill Island Sea Salt on being registered as a PDO.

“I am delighted to announce that Achill Island Sea Salt has been successful in their application for PDO status, further strengthening Ireland’s reputation for quality food products. I would like to congratulate the applicant, Achill Island Sea Salt, on this substantial achievement. PDO status provides both recognition of the exceptional quality and unique characteristics of this hand harvested sea salt from the waters around Achill Island and reflects the dedication of our local producers,” he said.

Achill Island Sea Salt was founded by Marjorie and Kieran O'Malley in their home in Keel on Achill Island in 2013. The product quickly became a favourite for chefs for its 'soft flaky texture' and has won numerous culinary awards. In recent years the O'Malley's moved the production of Achill Island Sea Salt from their home to a new factory in Bunnacurry on Achill Island which also offers guided tours in the summer season.

The company posted on social media that they were thrilled to announce that Achill Island Sea Salt has officially been registered as a PDO product with celebrity chef, Neven Maguire one of the many people to congratulate them on the achievement.

That’s fantastic news congratulations https://t.co/epHLjyZ8X7

— Neven Maguire (@nevenmaguire) November 29, 2023

Ballina-based TD Dara Calleary also congratulated the O'Malley family and everyone at Achill Island Sea Salt on their achievement.

“This is a fantastic achievement for the O’Malley Family and Achill Island Sea Salt – to be registered as a Protected Designation of Origin and to have that published in the Official Journal of the European Union is a very significant milestone.

“Achieving PDO status will mean that Achill Island Sea Salt may use the PDO logo on their products. I am delighted for the O’Malley Family who have steadily grown their business since 2013 to now being a readily recognisable brand. This achievement is testament to their determination and commitment to producing a top quality, unique, local product. I wish them continued success for the future,” he said.