Author: Dr. Giovanna Del Bene
Italian cuisine, recognized in December 2025 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, embodies a unique set of knowledge, rites and traditions that exalt conviviality, biodiversity and respect for ingredients. It is much more than a simple gastronomic heritage: it is a way of living and sharing, capable of uniting different regional identities through the continuity of recipes handed down from generation to generation.
This recognition found a natural echo during the 2026 Winter Olympics Milano Cortina, where Italian food achieved extraordinary success: pasta, pizza and tiramisu became the most shared, celebrated and photographed gastronomic symbols. Athletes, delegations and visitors chose Italian dishes not only for taste, but because they represent that balance between quality, authenticity and well-being that Italian cuisine embodies. The presence of Italian culinary traditions in the Winter Olympics context thus confirmed, once again, how this heritage is not only cultural, but also universal: a language of taste capable of bringing everyone into agreement, just as happens in major sporting competitions.
At a historical moment in which the world looks to Italy as a model of culinary excellence, it is worth remembering that already in 2010 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, confirming the cultural and identity value of our food tradition. A recognition that strengthens the necessity to protect the symbolic products of Made in Italy.
This global enthusiasm is not only a tribute to taste, but an opportunity to reflect on a crucial theme: the legal protection of food through intellectual property.
How is Italian food protected? Between PDO, PGI, TSG and PAT
The worldwide exposure obtained during the Winter Olympics amplifies both the prestige of Italian dishes and the risk of imitations. The PDO, PGI, TSG and PAT certifications contribute to:
- defending authenticity and tradition,
- protecting supply chains and territories,
- countering Italian Sounding and copies,
- enhancing the Italian gastronomic brand,
- supporting export and tourism linked to food.
According to data deriving from the daily monitoring of publications in the Official Journal of the EU by Fondazione Qualivita, Italy results as the first Country in Europe for the number of certified products with 897 total GIs (331 Food PDO/PGI/TSG, 530 Wines PDO/PGI and 36 Spirit Drinks GIs) for a total economic value of approximately 20.84 billion euros (source: IsmeaQualivita Observatory and EU Commission).
In particular, the food sector counts 331 certified products, divided into: 174 PDO, 153 PGI, 4 TSG. The main categories are fresh meats, cheeses, oils, fruit and vegetables and cereals, bakery products, pasta, etc. etc.
Geographical Indications (PDO, PGI and TSG) are quality marks recognized by the European Union. They guarantee that a product has a strong link with a territory and complies with very rigorous production specifications.
In extreme synthesis, the PDO – Protected Designation of Origin ensures that all production phases take place in a precise territory. Ingredients of pizza such as Mozzarella di Bufala Campana PDO or Pomodoro San Marzano PDO are emblematic examples, in addition to the highly appreciated Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, to be enjoyed alone or on pasta.
The PGI – Protected Geographical Indication requires that at least one phase of processing takes place in the reference area. The types of pasta that are recognized as PGI are: Seadas di Sardegna, Cappellacci di zucca ferraresi, Culurgiones d’Ogliastra, Pasta di Gragnano, Pizzoccheri della Valtellina, Maccheroncini di Campofilone.
A TSG protects a method of production or a traditional recipe, not the territory in which it is produced. Therefore, the value of the TSG lies in the traditionality of the composition or of the production process, but the product can be made anywhere, even outside the territory of origin, provided that the rules of the specifications are respected.
This is the key difference compared to PDO and PGI, which instead protect the link between product and geographical territory.
At the moment four Italian TSGs are registered: Mozzarella Tradizionale (cheese category), Pizza Napoletana (bakery category, specifically codifies method, dough, baking and technical characteristics), Amatriciana Tradizionale (in the ready sauces/condiments category), Vincisgrassi alla Maceratese (ready dishes category).
At national level, there are then the PAT – Traditional Agri-Food Products, products linked to local tradition but that do not have European certification. The main characteristics are:
- Recognition only national.
- There does not exist a rigid specification: traditionality is enhanced (at least 25 years of use).
- No strong legal protection as for GIs.
- List updated every year by the Regions.
Many regional fresh pastas (e.g. trofie, pizzoccheri, traditional orecchiette) are registered as PAT at regional level and also the famous tiramisu is recognized as PAT of Veneto (tiramisu of Treviso) in 2024, with the original recipe (eggs, sugar, mascarpone, savoiardi, coffee and cocoa). Mascarpone and Savoiardi, essential for the tiramisu recipe, also fall within the PATs.
CONCLUSION
Intellectual property is not only a legal protection: it is a true instrument of cultural and economic competitiveness.
As Pellegrino Artusi wrote, “Cooking is an art that is learned through practice” and in the Winter Olympic days that art shone. Thus, alongside the medals, Italian cuisine also obtained its silent but universal triumph.
And to close in beauty, below the recipe for tiramisu!
Serves about 6 people: 300g of mascarpone; 3 fresh egg yolks (no egg white); 100g granulated sugar; 200g savoiardi biscuits; coffee; unsweetened cocoa powder.
Procedure: Beat the egg yolks with the sugar; Add the mascarpone obtaining a soft cream; Soak the savoiardi with coffee and arrange them in a layer; Cover the layer of savoiardi with the cream and repeat the operation finishing with a layer of cream; Place in refrigerator for at least 10 hours; Finally sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa before serving.
Enjoy your meal – and watch out for imitations!
©THINX SRL – February 2026