Czechs win protection for Karlovy Vary spa wafers

The Czech Republic has won EU protection for Karlovy Vary spa wafers, the Czech news agency ČTK reported on Thursday. The European Commission reportedly granted the product the Protected Geographical Indication status which means only wafers made in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary will be able to use that name. The decision comes despite opposition from Germany and Austria where locally made wafers bear the same name.

Wafers in Karlovy Vary, also known by its German name Carlsbad, were first produced in mid-19th century. At that time, the town was almost exclusively populated by ethnic Germans whose descendants were forced to leave after WWII. However, Karlovy Vary continued producing its spa wafers even after the town was repopulated by Czechs.