Ibérico ham seal colours explained

Black, red, green and white seals identify Ibérico ham categories according to the pig’s breed, feeding and rearing system. The official seal is different from a commercial label: a black band, green wrapper or red box does not establish the category on its own.

What each colour means

This system applies to both hams and shoulder hams covered by the Ibérico quality standard. Read the seal alongside the label.

Breed and feeding are different

The percentage of Ibérico breed indicates the animal’s ancestry, not its diet. A 100% Ibérico product may be bellota, cebo de campo or cebo. Bellota products can also come from animals that are 50% or 75% Ibérico.

Black and red: bellota categories

Black identifies bellota 100% Ibérico; red identifies bellota Ibérico from pigs that are 50% or 75% Ibérico. They share the same feeding category: red does not mean a mixture of bellota and cebo, or that the pig ate fewer acorns because it was crossbred.

Final fattening during the montanera uses acorns, grass and other natural resources of the dehesa, without supplementary feed in that phase. It does not mean an exclusively acorn-based diet throughout the animal’s life. Under the standard, “pata negra” is reserved for bellota 100% Ibérico.

Green: cebo de campo

The diet includes feed, mainly cereals and legumes, and may be supplemented by resources found outdoors. The animals have outdoor activity and must meet the category’s management requirements. Outdoor access does not turn a product into bellota. A green seal may correspond to 50%, 75% or 100% Ibérico breed.

White: cebo Ibérico

This identifies products from animals fed on feed, mainly cereals and legumes, and reared in an intensive system. They may be 50%, 75% or 100% Ibérico. Within this system, white does not mean a white pig breed or Serrano ham.

Seal, brand and protected designation of origin

The seal is the band identifying the category; the commercial label presents the brand and product details; the box or cover is part of the presentation. Check the seal marked with ASICI or that of the relevant PDO and read the full designation.

A protected designation of origin adds its own origin and production requirements. A black seal alone does not establish a PDO. Nor does it guarantee which ham will be your favourite: production, curing, slicing and personal preferences all matter.

Products with their own classification

Not every ham is marketed under the Ibérico quality standard. Anyone using its reserved designations must meet the requirements; products marketed outside that system remain subject to the applicable general rules.

A private selection or branded presentation is not in itself a certified category. If a product uses its own designation, check what the producer states and avoid automatically attributing the characteristics of one of the four seals to it.

Sliced and boneless ham

When you cannot see the seal on the whole ham, the information on the packaging is particularly relevant. Check the full designation, breed percentage, net weight, batch, responsible business and storage instructions. Hand or machine slicing does not change the breed or feeding category.

Start with identification, confirm the designation and compare equivalent formats. If you are unsure between two shop products, we can help you interpret their characteristics.

Reference sources

Royal Decree 4/2014, the Ibérico quality standard, consolidated BOE text. ASICI: seals and categories.

Products related to this guide

These products illustrate the formats and features discussed in this guide. Check each product page to choose the option that suits you.

• 50% Ibérico cebo ham — Selección Sierra de Huelva: Ibérico cebo ham with whole, boneless and sliced options.
• Deseo 100% Ibérico bellota ham selection: Deseo 100% Ibérico bellota ham in a selection with accompaniments.
• Sánchez Romero Carvajal 100% Ibérico bellota ham: Knife-carved Sánchez Romero Carvajal 100% Ibérico bellota ham.