Flemish agriculture minister Jo Brouns (Christian democrat CD&V) has added four new regional products to the Flemish list of recognised regional products. These are Dilbeek rabbit cookies, Merodegoud (Flemish honey from Tessenderlo), white speculaas and speculaas with almonds from Lokeren as well as Boerke Waas (boiled bacon from the Waasland region).
Minister Brouns was on hand at a Dilbeek bakery today to help bake some Dilbeek rabbit cookies. He helped baker Frank Bossuyt and dipped the cookie legs into the chocolate. Pierre Bossuyt first started baking the cookies in 1986. His son Frank continued the tradition.
Baker Frank Bossuyt received both a diploma and a sticker from minister Brouns on Wednesday afternoon.
Five criteria
The Flemish Centre for Agro and Fisheries Marketing awards the regional product label on the advice of an independent committee of food specialists. Products are assessed on five criteria including tradition and regional and artisanal production.
The Flemish list of regional products today includes 223 products. They include well-known products such as Geuze-Lambic beer, Limburg cake and ‘curd tarts’ from Geraardsbergen, but also many less well-known products. The best-known regional products often also enjoy European recognition.