Red Ant Chutney of Odisha Received GI Tag

Kai Chutney, also known as Red Ant Chutney, from Odisha, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag due to its unique taste and texture. 

• Insects and worms have been consumed for their numerous health benefits since ancient times in India and other parts of the world. 
• This rare delicacy is made with Red Weaver Ants and comes from the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, where it has been a quintessential part of their culinary culture.

About Kai Chutney

• Kai chutney is a classic coarse chutney made with spices, herbs and Weaver Red Ants. 
• For exceptional health benefits and nutritional value, Kai Chutney got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag on January 2, 2024.
• Red Ants or Oecophylla smaragdina, have a very painful sting that can cause skin rashes or blisters. These ants are commonly found in India's Mayurbhanj, Similipal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh forests.

What is a geographical indication?

• A Geographical Indication (GI) is a designation used to describe products from a particular geographic location and possessing unique characteristics or a reputation derived from that location. 
• To qualify as a GI, the label must indicate that the product originates from a specific place.
• Geographical indications are an important part of Intellectual Property Rights under Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention. 
• They are also protected under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, a part of the agreements concluded during the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
• India became a World Trade Organization (WTO) member and enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act in 1999. This act was enacted on September 15, 2003 and protected geographical indications of goods.

Evolution of GIs

• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) defined GIs in 2003 as indicators of a product's origin.
• The concept of Geographical Indication (GI) originates from the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, which was signed in Paris, France, in 1883. 
• The terms 'appellation of origin' and 'indications of source' were introduced and later defined in the Lisbon and Madrid Treaties. 
  • However, the growing significance of GIs may be linked to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ('TRIPS') led by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995.
• The TRIPS agreement establishes requirements for GI protection and legal systems for WTO member nations.
• The TRIPS Agreement, a part of the final agreements of the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations, covers GIs in Articles 22 to 24.