An attempt by the Scottish government to give Dundee cake protected status has caused an outcry from bakers outside the city. 

An application for the cake to be granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status was first lodged in September 2013.

If the bid succeeds, it would mean the cake can only be made to the agreed recipe and baked and decorated in the Dundee area.

Arbroath Smokies, Aberdeen Angus Beef and Stornoway Black Pudding have already been granted protected status, but bakers outside Dundee have made objections when it comes to Dundee cake.

The British Retail Consortium has backed those against the move, claiming that the flavour is more important than the location, in this case.

It told ministers: “We do not believe that the vast majority of customers associate the name Dundee Cake specifically with the location but rather with the flavour profile (sultanas and citrus) and the decoration.

“Several of our members have been selling Dundee cake produced by suppliers outside Dundee for more than 10 years. In fact we are concerned that there is not sufficient manufacturing capacity in Dundee to meet the entire country’s requirements.”

Dundee cake manufacturers are still campaigning for protected status.

The cake was first baked by the Keiller family, with a recipe including candied Seville orange peel marmalade with Spanish almonds, Spanish sultanas and Spanish sherry.