Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

(2022/C 309/07)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

The application for approval of this minor amendment can be consulted in the Commission’s eAmbrosia database.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘PLÁTANO DE CANARIAS’

EU No: PGI-ES-0867-AM01 – 10.1.2022

PDO ( ) PGI ( X)

1.   Name

‘Plátano de Canarias’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6. Fruit, vegetables and cereals, fresh or processed

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) ‘Plátano de Canarias’ covers bananas of the Cavendish variety of the species Musa acuminata Colla (AAA), grown in the Canary Islands to be eaten fresh after they have been prepared and packed.

The colour of the skin varies from green when they are harvested to bright yellow when eaten, while the pulp ranges from shades of marble white through cream to yellow.

However, it is the brown flecks on the skin that have become an identifying feature and one of the ways consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

The enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase are highly active in ‘Plátano de Canarias’, acting as catalysts in oxidation that leads to browning of the skin. This characteristic becomes apparent as the bananas ripen, with brown flecks appearing on the skin, or greater susceptibility to bruising. The brown flecks on the skin are the distinguishing feature of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, ‘famous for its flecks’.

‘Plátano de Canarias’ is oblong shaped with a pronounced curve, becoming narrower where it joins the stem.

Grading, which is mandatory, is on the basis of length and thickness of the fruit, the minimum values being 14 cm and 27 mm respectively.

The most important chemical properties of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are as follows:

—	Starch below 8.

—	Total sugars higher than 10.

Both the starch content and total sugar content are expressed in grams per 100 grams of ripe pulp.

The low starch content and high total sugar content are distinguishing features of the product.

The main distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are summarised below:

—	Intense, sweet taste owing to the high sugar and low starch contents

—

Intense banana aroma (impacto plátano) resulting from the high isoamyl acetate and hexyl butanoate contents: It is 3-methylbutyl acetate or isoamyl acetate that gives the product its intense banana aroma (impacto a plátano). According to the studies available, the concentration of this compound is manifestly higher in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ than in bananas grown elsewhere. Likewise, ‘’Plátano de Canarias’ contains other compounds that are linked with the typical banana aroma, such as hexyl butanoate. However, this compound is imperceptible in bananas from elsewhere.

—	Typical dark flecks on the banana skin owing to high levels of activity of the enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, which act as catalysts in oxidation reactions that cause browning.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

‘Plátano de Canarias’ must be grown within the geographical area defined for the Protected Geographical Indication.

However, bananas covered by the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI may be ripened and packaged outside the defined geographical area.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product to which the registered name refers

—

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product to which the registered name refers

The ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI name and logo must be clearly printed on the packaging, together with the European Union logo, and any other information generally required under the legislation in force.

The ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI logo is as follows:

—	Pantone 295 (blue), for the background of the oval.

—	Pantone 347 (green) for the banana leaves and the outline of the banana.

—	Pantone 109 (yellow) for the banana.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area of production of the bananas covered by ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI is the archipelago of the Canary Islands and it comprises all agricultural land situated below 500 metres above sea level.

5.   Link with the geographical area

a)   Specificity of the geographical area

The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27o 37' and 29o 25' north. This location, combined with the trade winds and the cool Canary current, results in a climate classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.

The average temperatures are fairly uniform throughout the year. On the coast, the average is around 20 oC, but at higher altitudes temperatures drop significantly and the daily fluctuation increases.

The mild temperatures and wet winds that blow over the islands are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant and longer ripening time, and have a considerable impact on the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

b)   Specificity of the product

‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI bananas are oblong in shape, with a pronounced curve, a minimum length of 14 cm, a minimum thickness of 27 mm, an intense, sweet taste and brown flecks on the skin.

These flecks are the identifying feature and main characteristic whereby consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.

Technically, the flecks on the skin are caused by the activity of certain specific enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase.

In the supporting study that accompanies the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI application, the data for these parameters for ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is compared to that for bananas grown elsewhere, and it is clear that the values for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are much higher than in bananas grown elsewhere and this is why ‘Plátano de Canarias’ bananas have many more flecks than other bananas, to the extent that they have become a distinguishing feature.

The same study examines the specificity of the product from a nutritional point of view, and comprehensive analysis of nutrients in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ and bananas grown in other parts of the world has revealed significant differences: ‘Plátano de Canarias’ contains less starch and more soluble sugars, which increases its sweetness. It also has more potassium and phosphorus and less sodium and calcium than bananas grown elsewhere. These important differences confirm the fact that ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is a different product compared to bananas grown in other parts of the world. (Forster et al. 2002).

c)   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality, reputation and renown of the name of ‘Plátano de Canarias’

The grounds for applying for registration of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ as a Protected Geographical Indication are the quality, reputation and renown of the name. Nevertheless, the typical ‘Plátano de Canarias’ came about through a combination of historical, natural and human factors.

The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27o 37' and 29o 25' north. This location has a decisive effect on the characteristics of the climate, which is classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.

The situation of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, in the centre of the subtropical band and to the west of the African continent, gives them specific climatic characteristics. The climate of the area where the archipelago is located results from the interaction of two sets of factors operating independently of one another. On the one hand, subtropical atmospheric dynamics, and on the other, the fact that most of the islands have a sharp relief, are bathed in a cool ocean current and situated near a continental land mass.

The Canary Islands are on the geographical limit for banana growing and at the climatological limit, as the plant needs a warm temperature of 25-27 °C. At 16 °C the plant is affected and below 14 °C it stops growing.

The banana tree cycle is defined by the accumulation of degree-days above 14 °C, and this is why the mild temperatures of the Canary Islands and the wet winds that blow over the archipelago are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant in comparison with banana crops in the tropics.

The longer growing time and longer ripening period (up to 3 more months on the plant) determine the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, low starch and high sugar content, with a predominance of sucrose.

These conditions also determine the enzyme activity, with high levels of catalytic activity that causes the fruit to brown. Brown flecks appear on the skin, which are the distinguishing sign of ‘Plátano de Canarias’, ‘famous for its flecks’.

The characteristics of the fruit are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as light, temperature, water, soil, relative humidity, wind, etc. All these variables affect the physiological development of the plant, giving it the specific characteristics described above.

The geographical location of the Canary Islands in relation to the mainland market means that transportation time is very short, compared to that for bananas from other parts of the world, which means that the fruit can be cut or harvested at a more advanced stage of ripeness and therefore with better organoleptic characteristics and that a better quality product reaches the consumer.

The reputation and renown of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ has been vouched for by many historical references in the press, literature, etc. Some examples from the press are set out below:

La Vanguardia newspaper, Wednesday 25 May 1921, page 11

La Vanguardia newspaper, Tuesday 24 June 1930, page 32

La Vanguardia newspaper, Saturday 21 November 1970, page 8

Another example of the reputation and renown of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are the conclusions drawn from the Estudio del Mercado del Plátano en España y Portugal [study of the banana market in Spain and Portugal] carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 2002, where it was concluded that it can be categorically stated that an absolute majority of consumers, regardless of sex, age, social class and place of residence, like bananas, which they spontaneously and immediately associate with the Canary Islands.

Reference to publication of the product specification

https://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/cmsgobcan/export/sites/agp/icca/galerias/doc/calidad/PLIEGO-DE-CONDICIONES-MODIFICADO-1.pdf

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.