UNESCO recognized Italian cooking as an "intangible cultural heritage." It's a recognition that is accompanied by a challenge: to protect local products - a symbol of Italian excellence - against imitations, counterfeits and fake products.

Rome

Italian cuisine has been officially recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage, underscoring the importance of preserving its authenticity and combating the proliferation of imitation products. The designation is expected to bolster efforts to protect traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients, such as those produced under the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) label.

Italian agricultural organizations and restaurateurs have welcomed the recognition, citing the significant economic impact of counterfeit Italian food products, which are estimated to be worth up to 140 billion euros globally. The move also highlights Italy's leadership in the registration of geographic references for food products, reinforcing the nation's commitment to maintaining its culinary traditions.

Italian cuisine gets UNESCO status

In Italy, gastronomic excellence begins in the fields, raw materials rooted in specific territories shaped by the land and local know-how. Like in this olive grove, about a hundred kilometres from Rome, dedicated to making 100% Italian olive oil, produced for the high-end market. Here we're making a DOP product, which means Protected Designation of Origin, from our selection of typical regional products. This is an important production, connected to the Umbria region and defined as a premium product. The recognition of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO cultural heritage compels the nation to preserve its authenticity and to combat any kind of imitation and fake products. Look, the label on this bottle reads blends of oils originating in the EU. That could mean 1% Italian and 99% Spanish oil. Nicola De Noia is a professional olive oil taster at the head of a national consortium. He's speaking out against the ambiguity of labels that deliberately cause confusion. Olive oils that have Italian names or that are made to look Italian can mislead the consumer. They try and copy us because in Italy we have hundreds of varieties and that distinguishes us from other oil-producing countries. That gives us oils with very different aromas and tastes. In Rome, the main Italian agricultural federation condemns these practices and highlights a real economic issue. We have estimated that the worldwide value of these products that pretend to be Italian without being so is about 120 to 140 billion euros. That's twice the total value of the Italian agro-industry's exports. Customers are also getting involved in protecting the Italian gastronomy and products. In this Roman osteria, the chef is promoting traditional recipes, faithful to their historic and local origins. We want to continue to maintain our traditions. Italian cuisine has a value that we must preserve and keep alive. And we will. When I'm gone, my son will take over. He'll pick up the torch in the kitchen. He will be a sixth-generation restaurateur. Italy holds the world record for the number of registered geographic references for their food products.

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