Bulgaria's Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk has been included by the Euroepan Commission in the Register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

The traditional Bulgarian sausage has become the country's first product to appear in the register, the Bulgarian Agriculture Ministry has pointed out. Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk has joined  the list of more than 1000 product names already protected under the legislation on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin and traditional speciality.

Only the producers who are members of the Rahovets 2007 corporation will be able to use the term Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk on EU's territory.

Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk is a compacted, non-perishable, raw, dried sausage manufactured from natural gut filled with machine-minced beef. It is intended for direct consumption. Its aroma is considered distinctive, with vivid tones reflecting its specific mixture of herbal seasoning (black pepper, cumin and savory).

The production of Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk sausages takes place under conditions typical for the Gorna Oryahovitsa area and makes use of the local population's traditional skills.

Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk sausages are manufactured only from fresh beef with a high glycogen content before breakdown, which makes the sausages juicy and lends them their characteristic taste and red-brown colour.

In 1538, Suleiman I the Magnificent issued a decree granting the Rustem Pasha Foundation lands and taxes from the production of sudzhuk sausages in Rahoviche-I Gebr (now known as Gorna Oryahovitsa).

During the Bulgarian National Revival period, the sausages produced in Gorna Oryahovitsa were called "Sara" and "Smarlama". After the Liberation, they became known under the name of "Gornooryahovski Sudzhuk" and  "Dried Beef Sausage", The Official Journal of the European Union has reminded.