The European Union announced Wednesday it has awarded geographical protection to Khao Sangyod Muang Phatthalung, a golden rice registered in Thailand 10 years ago.
Well known in Thailand, the Phattalung province rice is a unique, golden-brown coloured rice. It is milled and marketed as a brown, or red rice.
The rice is unique to Phattalung province, and similar strains grown outside the immediate area are barred from using the "khao sangyod" description.
The European action on Wednesday gives Khao Sangyod Muang Phatthalung the same basic protection throughout the European Union.
The protection of khao sangyod is the 29th such "Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status ever awarded.
