The Denomination of Origin (abbreviated D.O.) is a special classification of regional high quality food products.

As in the case with wine, the Spanish National Institute of Denomination of Origin (INDO) recognizes the "Denomination of Origin" for the processing of cured ham. In Spain, the oldest D.O. for ham is "Teruel Ham."

D.O. Teruel has its own policies that regulate and establish the conditions for the entire production process by using a rigorous quality control program overseeing the origin of the product (the pig farmer) to the curing industry that produces this type of cured ham.
Therefore, the Rules and Regulations Council controls each stage of production for the ham so that it fit the standards set by D.O.