Riga Sardines standard
The RS or "Riga Sardines" quality standard protects the "Rigas Sardines" brand and ensures that the consumers receive a product that is produced according to strict regulations, guaranteeing its authenticity and high quality.
RS standard assignment
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Protection against substandard manufacturers
The RS quality standard protects the "Riga Sardines" brand and its producers from competitors who produce similar but non-compliant products. Only those producers who follow all the necessary production processes according to the standard can use the name "Riga Sardines". -
Benefit to the consumer
The RS standard guarantees that each box marked with the RS mark contains carefully selected and processed fish that meet the highest quality criteria. -
Preserving traditions and authenticity
The RS quality standard is also part of Latvia's culinary heritage, which includes a specific way of preparing and smoking fish, giving sprats their unique taste and quality. The RS standard ensures that the product is manufactured according to traditional methods that have been perfected over the years. -
Sustainability and ecological aspects
The RS standard may also include rules under which conditions and periods fish may be caught in order to ensure sustainable fishing and reduce environmental impact. It can contribute to the conservation of fish stocks and produce in a responsible, environmentally friendly way.
Values based on traditions and experience
In gastronomy, one of the most important things is the history and traditions of making the product. Riga Sardines did not appear yesterday - it is a product with a long and deep history, the origins of which date back to the end of the 19th century.
In the last century, this product was known as sprats and in the market of more than 300 million fishmongers it was one of the symbols of Latvia. The production of sprats was based on the Baltic sprat, traditionally prepared according to the quality standard "Riga Sprats" developed in the 1990s.
In the 21st century, starting to learn the Western markets, perfecting and improving the "Riga Sprats" standard, it was transformed into the "Riga Sardines" standard to ensure the conformity of the quality of a high-value traditional product to the modern premium product category.
In the last century, this product was known as sprats and in the market of more than 300 million fishmongers it was one of the symbols of Latvia. The production of sprats was based on the Baltic sprat, traditionally prepared according to the quality standard "Riga Sprats" developed in the 1990s.
In the 21st century, starting to learn the Western markets, perfecting and improving the "Riga Sprats" standard, it was transformed into the "Riga Sardines" standard to ensure the conformity of the quality of a high-value traditional product to the modern premium product category.
The production process conforming to the rules of the Riga Sardines standard
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Only fresh fish (Sprattus Sprattus) caught in the Baltic Sea region in the period from December to February are used for quality raw material.
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Only 9 - 11 cm long fish without visual damage are carefully selected for production.
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The fish is smoked according to traditional methods in natural alder wood smoke.
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Smoked fish without heads and tails are packed in cans by hand.
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Only the highest quality vegetable oil is used in the preparation of canned fish.
- Only the product that meets the requirements of the RS standard can be called "Riga Sardines", and it is marked with the RS quality mark on the package.
