This only works [for the consumer] if the designation *also* covers such things as minimum ingredient quality / quantity, banned additives, particular production methods etc. Such products as 'traditional Cumberland sausage', 'white Stilton' and 'Scotch' do have a cachet appeal - so it's in their interest to make sure cut-corners producers can't cash in. And to protect their margins, of course.

While as far as I can tell we're not so fussed about this type of things than the French or Italians, we do get annoyed when the national origin has been faked - particularly when something is labelled 'British' when it isn't.