Zeack News

New Delhi, June 16 : Goa's famed alcoholic beverage Feni has been granted geographical indication (GI) tag which gives local producers exclusive brand protection rights.

As per the information available with the geographical indication registry office, under the jurisdiction of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trade Marks, feni has been registered under class 33, which deals with alcoholic beverages (except beers).



Geographical indication is an indication which identifies a product as originating from a particular geographical area, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product is attributable to its geographical origin.



The Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and The Department of Science, Technology & Environment of the Goa government had jointly sought the GI tag for feni, which is made from juice of the cashew apple.



"GI protection for feni will ensure that though others might try to copy the spirit but they cannot call it feni and surf on the brand equity built up by Goa," Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association President Mac Vaz told Zeack.



The association feels GI tag would benefit the feni industry in the state, though cashew fruit is amply available in neighbouring states as well as across the world.



"We are planning to file applications in some other countries, including European Union for the GI status of feni," Goa government's Department of Science, Technology & Environment Director Michael D'souza said. Z