The Italian government has nominated “Italian cuisine between sustainability and biocultural diversity” as a UNESCO Intangible Heritage Site. A historic challenge for our country’s cuisine: to be recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Italy is the only country in the world that can boast 307 EU-recognized geographical indications for food products (170 PDOs, 134 PGIs and 3 TSGs), 34 for spirits and 525 for wines. In addition to these products, registered at the EU level, there are 5,266 traditional food products recognized by Italian regions. An achievement made possible by the great biodiversity of the plant and animal heritage, with the presence on the national territory of 7 thousand species of flora, 58 thousand species of animals, 504 varieties registered in the vine register (compared to 278 in France) but also 533 varieties of olives compared to 70 in Spain. The extraordinary biodiversity of Italian livestock farms has made it possible to save from extinction as many as 130 bred breeds.
In addition, Italian agriculture claims to be among the most sustainable at the EU level with just 7.2 percent of all emissions at the national level (30 million tons of CO2 equivalent in Italy), compared to more than twice as much as France (76 million tons), Germany’s 66 million tons, the UK’s 41 million tons and Spain’s 39 million tons.
The inscription of Italian cuisine on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, therefore, stems from this evidence and is intended to preserve, protect and promote Italy’s precious culinary tradition for future generations and to emphasize its role in the construction of Italian cultural identity. This designation also recognizes the social and economic importance of Italian cuisine as a source of cohesion and cultural sharing.
ITA0039 | 100% Italian Taste Certification actively supports the candidacy, through the mobilization of the network of certified restaurateurs, who have joined to enthusiastically support the government’s initiative to enhance the importance of Made in Italy food and wine. Their endorsement represents an important contribution to publicizing and preserving this priceless cultural and gastronomic heritage.
Others include:
– Fausto Soldini, owner of “Trattoria Romana Zero Sei” and “Sotto Pinsa Romana,” from Malta;
– Walter Carnevale Garè, owner of “Carnevale Italiensk Restaurant Italian Pizzeria Italian Deli” in Roskilde, Denmark;
– Paolo Fresilli, owner of “Ristorante Italiano Via Veneto,” in Enniscorthy, Ireland;
– Enzo Fiore, owner of “O’ Curniciello,” of Lancing, UK.
“The Government’s initiative comes, it is worth remembering, at a moment of historical record achieved by Made in Italy agri-food exports in the world, which have reached the value of 60.7 billion also driven by the demand for Italian cuisine. – the comment of Fabrizio Capaccioli CEO of ASACERT and creator of the ITA0039 Certification Protocol – It is clear that Italian cuisine has won the hearts and palates of millions of people around the world, becoming an integral part of international culinary culture. Our task is to guide consumers around the world, in an ongoing effort to spread and raise awareness of true Italian products-through the tool of the app-and to protect and reward them through the certification of restaurants that choose to source exclusively from Italian supply chains. Our campaign to support the government’s initiative in favor of the UNESCO nomination for “Italian cuisine between sustainability and biocultural diversity” we consider it a coherent act with respect to our constant and concrete commitment to what is the most influential and popular cuisine internationally, as well as an effective heritage that our country makes available to all consumers around the world.”
