Italy proposes new manifesto to protect Panettone identity

During the fifth World Panettone Convention held at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, the Academy of Masters of Sourdough and Italian Panettone presented a manifesto aimed at strengthening the international competitiveness and protection of the traditional Italian product.

The initiative proposes updating the Ministerial Decree of July 22, 2005, which regulates the production and sale of seasonal baked goods. Key proposals include introducing the official designation ‘Panettone Italiano’ for products made using raw materials produced, raised, cultivated, and processed within Italy under strict traceability and certified supply chain criteria. Additionally, the manifesto suggests a ‘Panettone Italiano – 100% Agricultural Supply Chain’ label, supported by digital verification tools to ensure transparency for consumers.

The move comes as the global panettone market exceeds 2 billion euros. Currently, over 60% of global production and consumption occurs outside of Italy, with international production surpassing 350,000 tons annually. While Italy exports approximately 500 million euros worth of large leavened goods each year, much of the international production follows different recipes and processes than the Italian tradition.