Italian cuisine has officially been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced in a video address. This marks a historic milestone: never before has UNESCO included an entire national cuisine rather than a specific dish or culinary technique.
Under this recognition, not only iconic foods such as pasta and pizza are protected, but also mozzarella, tiramisu, traditional food-processing methods, and the broader culinary practices that have shaped Italy for centuries. Meloni emphasized that for Italians, cuisine is not just food — it is culture, identity, labor, and heritage.
The decision was made by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during a session in New Delhi. The official document states that Italian cuisine reflects sustainable development and biocultural diversity, contributing significantly to both national and global cultural heritage.
Previously, UNESCO had recognized individual elements of Italy’s gastronomic tradition, including the art of the Neapolitan pizzaiolo. However, acknowledging the entire cuisine underscores its global influence and unique cultural value.
Italy continues to lead the world in the number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The recognition of its cuisine adds another major achievement to this status, strengthening the country’s role as a guardian of historical and culinary traditions.