Rome — It’s time to pop the prosecco and maybe order a plate of tagliatelle al ragù. Italy has a delicious reason to celebrate: its national cuisine has become the first entire culinary tradition to be recognized by UNESCO, the UN’s cultural agency — a distinction that will help protect it from imitators.
The designation of Italian cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage was confirmed on Wednesday by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, ahead of an official announcement from UNESCO.
“We are the first in the world to receive this recognition, which honors our identity and who we are,” Meloni said. “For Italians, cuisine is not just food or recipes. It is much more: it represents culture, tradition, work, and wealth.”
The recognition caps a three-year effort by Italy’s Agriculture Ministry to have the nation’s traditional approach to growing, preparing, and serving food acknowledged internationally.
“The act of cooking in Italy goes beyond mere nutrition, becoming a complex and layered daily practice,” wrote Pier Luigi Petrillo, one of the editors of Italy’s UNESCO submission.
The move comes as Italy continues its fight against “fake” Italian food, including a recent complaint to the European Parliament over jars of prepackaged carbonara sauce. The country has also challenged the production of counterfeit olive oil and the use of Italian-sounding labels on products not made in Italy. UNESCO recognition is expected to help shield Italy’s cuisine from such abuses, according to Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida.
“This acknowledgment is a source of pride and also highlights the value our products, territories, and supply chains hold,” Lollobrigida said. “It provides a tool to counter those who exploit the worldwide reputation of Made in Italy, and it will create new opportunities for jobs, wealth, and the continuation of traditions that UNESCO has recognized as a World Heritage asset.”
A living gastronomic landscape
UNESCO status generally brings prestige to designated items — from historical sites to intangible cultural practices, such as Icelandic pool swimming or Slovenian beekeeping. It also places a responsibility on countries to preserve these cultural treasures and often boosts tourism, although Italy already experiences high visitor numbers during peak seasons.
Meloni added that the designation could bring financial benefits as well. “We already export €70 billion in agri-food products and lead Europe in agricultural added value,” she said. “This recognition will provide a decisive boost to the Italian economy.”
Italy’s previous intangible cultural heritage recognitions include manual bell ringing (2024), opera singing (2023), truffle hunting (2019), Neapolitan pizza making (2017), and processional traditions involving shoulder-borne structures (2013). The Mediterranean diet, shared by several countries, was also included in 2013.
In its submission, Italy emphasized that its “living gastronomic landscapes” showcase the nation’s biocultural diversity and promote sustainability, seasonality, and minimal food waste. The proposal also highlighted how culinary traditions are passed down through generations, creating a strong emotional connection to food.