How Security Seals Protect Value in the Iberian Ham Industry

Article

Aggiornato:

5 set 2025

< 5 min read

Condividi su:

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Erica Ansón Romero

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Francisco Castro

Iberian pigs grazing freely in the dehesa, symbol of the Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014). The official color-coded labels — black, red, green, and white — certify the quality and origin of Jamón Ibérico, from 100% acorn-fed to farm-fed varieties.
Iberian pigs grazing freely in the dehesa, symbol of the Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014). The official color-coded labels — black, red, green, and white — certify the quality and origin of Jamón Ibérico, from 100% acorn-fed to farm-fed varieties.
Iberian pigs grazing freely in the dehesa, symbol of the Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014). The official color-coded labels — black, red, green, and white — certify the quality and origin of Jamón Ibérico, from 100% acorn-fed to farm-fed varieties.
Iberian pigs grazing freely in the dehesa, symbol of the Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014). The official color-coded labels — black, red, green, and white — certify the quality and origin of Jamón Ibérico, from 100% acorn-fed to farm-fed varieties.

Introduction

Iberian ham (jamón ibérico) is more than a delicacy—it’s a symbol of Spanish heritage and craftsmanship. With each leg sometimes valued at over €1,000, this gourmet product is exported worldwide and celebrated for its deep flavor, acorn-fed origins, and meticulous production standards.

But with such high value comes risk. Counterfeiting, breed misrepresentation, and labeling fraud threaten both consumer trust and brand reputation. To fight these challenges, security seals – specifically tamper-evident, food-grade seals – have become a critical component of the Iberian ham industry’s traceability and compliance systems.

In this article, we explore how Royal Pack, a Relyon company and trusted provider of DOP ham security seals, supports producers in safeguarding authenticity, quality, and value—from farm to table.

Why Iberian Ham Needs Protection

Iberian ham is not just a delicacy—it’s a regulated, traceable product with multiple classifications based on breed, feed, and rearing conditions. Top-tier hams—particularly 100% Iberian Bellota—command premium prices and require strict certification.

However, that premium positioning also makes the product vulnerable to:


  • Counterfeit labeling

  • Breed misrepresentation

  • Substitution with lower-quality meat


The Spanish Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014) defines four official categories of ham, each requiring specific labeling and sealing. To enforce this system, color-coded tamper-evident seals are applied to each leg.

Why are color-coded seals so important?
They visually guarantee that a ham’s label reflects its true origin and classification, verified through national regulations.

Understanding the Color System for Iberian Ham Seals

The Iberian ham classification system uses four distinct colors to indicate the type and quality of the ham:

Seal Color

Classification

Meaning

Black

100% Iberian Bellota

Purebred Iberian pigs, free-range, acorn-fed. Highest tier.

Red

75% or 50% Iberian Bellota

Crossbred, acorn-fed pigs. Premium but not purebred.

Green

Cebo de Campo

Outdoor rearing, mixed feed. Mid-quality category.

White

Cebo

Grain-fed, indoor. Entry-level in the Iberian range.

These color-coded ham seals are legally required and must match the ham’s documented classification. The seals are tamper-proof, providing visible assurance that no substitution or relabeling has occurred.

Each seal acts as a visible and traceable guarantee of quality and compliance.


Eco-friendly security seals for Jamón Ibérico certification, shown attached to the ham’s hoof and available in official colors (green, white, red, black) as required by the Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014). Designed for traceability and sustainability.

How Security Seals Work in Practice

Security seals for Iberian ham are engineered to withstand the demands of distribution, handling, and storage. Key features include:


  • Tamper-evident design: break-once plastic or metal mechanisms

  • Custom printing: serial numbers, barcodes, DOP codes, and brand logos

  • Food-grade materials: compliant with European food contact standards

  • Durability: resistant to cold, humidity, and mechanical stress

  • Traceability integration: compatibility with digital platforms like ÍTACA


Royal Pack, part of Relyon, offers tailored sealing solutions that meet these requirements and help producers protect product integrity while streamlining compliance.

Regulatory Oversight: The Role of ASICI and Industry Traceability Systems

The Iberian ham industry is regulated by ASICI (Asociación Interprofesional del Cerdo Ibérico), which oversees classification, labeling, and traceability.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Enforcing the Norma del Ibérico

  • Operating the ÍTACA digital platform to track ham legs from farm to consumer

  • Auditing seal use and documentation for compliance

While ASICI doesn’t supply seals directly, producers must purchase compliant seals from certified providers like Royal Pack. These seals are registered in ASICI’s system, enabling full traceability.

🗭️ Security seals serve as both a physical safeguard and a digital anchor in the traceability chain.

Benefits of Security Seals in the Iberian Ham Industry

✅ Protects Authenticity

  • Deters fraudulent substitution

  • Ensures the correct breed and classification are maintained


✅ Builds Consumer Trust

  • Visible proof of classification

  • Supports export confidence and brand reputation


✅ Supports Regulatory Compliance

  • Meets Royal Decree 4/2014 requirements

  • Integrated with ASICI’s ÍTACA system


✅ Prevent Brand Damage

  • Reduces risk of reputational harm

  • Maintains certification integrity


✅ Streamlines Operations

  • Quick application

  • Compatible with audits and logistics tools

Royal Pack: Trusted Sealing Partner for the Iberian Ham Industry

For over 25 years, Royal Pack has been a trusted and recognized supplier of tamper-evident security seals for leading Iberian ham producers across Spain and Portugal. As a Relyon company, Royal Pack plays a vital role in helping the industry comply with the Royal Decree 4/2014, which governs labeling and traceability.

By partnering with DOP-certified producers and exporters, Royal Pack ensures each ham leg meets the highest standards for authenticity, safety, and market readiness.


Royal Pack’s seals offer:

✅ Food-grade, tamper-evident design for direct food contact

✅ Custom printing with serial numbers, barcodes, or logos

✅ Color-coded options aligned with DOP classifications

✅ Highly durable materials for cold and humid conditions

✅ Full compliance with Spanish and EU regulations


Tamper-evident EcoSeal security seals with integrated barcode and RFID technology for Jamón Ibérico traceability. Designed to meet the Norma del Ibérico (Royal Decree 4/2014), these seals ensure authenticity, tracking, and food industry compliance.


Whether protecting black-label Bellota or ensuring traceability for entry-level Cebo, Royal Pack delivers reliable sealing solutions trusted across the Iberian Peninsula.

🔗 Explore Royal Pack Security Seals for Hams

Partner with Relyon for Proven Security Seal Expertise

Protecting the authenticity, quality, and reputation of Iberian ham takes more than compliance—it requires a trusted partner who understands the industry’s standards inside and out.

As part of Relyon, Royal Pack combines decades of experience in tamper-evident sealing with the resources of a European packaging leader. Whether you need DOP-compliant ham seals, custom traceability solutions, or advice on integrating with platforms like ÍTACA, our experts can help you secure your products from farm to table.

📩Get in touch with Relyon today to discuss how our tailored security seal solutions can protect your brand and support your business growth.

Domande Frequenti

What do the different colored seals on Iberian ham mean?
Who enforces Iberian ham classifications?
Can security seals be customized for traceability?
Are Royal Pack seals food-safe and compliant with EU standards?
Where can I buy tamper-evident seals for Iberian ham?
Are security seals required for Iberian ham exports?
What’s the difference between Bellota, Cebo de Campo, and Cebo hams?
What do the different colored seals on Iberian ham mean?
Who enforces Iberian ham classifications?
Can security seals be customized for traceability?
Are Royal Pack seals food-safe and compliant with EU standards?
Where can I buy tamper-evident seals for Iberian ham?
Are security seals required for Iberian ham exports?
What’s the difference between Bellota, Cebo de Campo, and Cebo hams?
What do the different colored seals on Iberian ham mean?
Who enforces Iberian ham classifications?
Can security seals be customized for traceability?
Are Royal Pack seals food-safe and compliant with EU standards?
Where can I buy tamper-evident seals for Iberian ham?
Are security seals required for Iberian ham exports?
What’s the difference between Bellota, Cebo de Campo, and Cebo hams?
What do the different colored seals on Iberian ham mean?
Who enforces Iberian ham classifications?
Can security seals be customized for traceability?
Are Royal Pack seals food-safe and compliant with EU standards?
Where can I buy tamper-evident seals for Iberian ham?
Are security seals required for Iberian ham exports?
What’s the difference between Bellota, Cebo de Campo, and Cebo hams?