Jump in exports of agricultural products made in Puglia, driven by symbolic products of the Mediterranean Diet such as extra virgin olive oil (+25%), fruit and vegetables (+18%) and pasta (+10%) on the podium of the best-selling regional products abroad . This is what emerges from the analysis of Coldiretti Puglia on Istat data on foreign trade relating to 2023 of agricultural products compared to the same period of the previous year, on the occasion of the celebration in the farmers’ markets of Campagna Amica to defend the Mediterranean Diet, 14 years after inscription in the UNESCO list of cultural and intangible heritage of humanity.
“In the first months of the new European legislature – we read in a note from Coldiretti Puglia – arrive at a new regulation that introduces the obligation to indicate the origin on all food packaging and to overcome the last transformation rule in the customs code on the origin of food. Surreal policies, made up of unachievable objectives and choices that have not improved sustainability, but have only created apprehension and difficulties for agricultural businesses. European citizens have the right to know the origin of all the food they bring to the table. The new Union that will emerge from the polls in June is also called to ensure greater transparency on what its citizens bring to the table, supporting the European law proposal promoted by Coldiretti to introduce the obligation to indicate the origin on the label of all foods on the market“.
“We need to say enough – insists Coldiretti Puglia – against unfair competition from third countries and decisively introduce the principle of reciprocity to ensure that all products entering the Union respect the same standards from an environmental, health and labor standards point of view as expected in the internal market. A change of pace is also needed on controls on residues in imported foods to protect the health of citizens. This is also in light of the free trade agreements under discussion such as Mercosur which would penalize farmers and European citizens. In Italy, for example, in 2023, imports of wheat from Canada treated in pre-harvest with glyphosate in ways prohibited by us more than doubled, for a total of well over a billion kilos.“.
The Mediterranean Diet won the global challenge also in 2024, pushing the candidacy of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO heritage site which is based precisely on the food style studied for the first time by the American scientist Ancel Keys, on the basis of the best diets ranking developed by the US media News & World’s Report’s, known globally for its rankings and consumer advice.
“The Mediterranean diet – underlines Coldiretti – it won the challenge among 30 different alternatives with a score of 85.1% followed on the podium by the dash against hypertension which ranked second and the mind which prevents and reduces cognitive decline. In fourth place was the Mayo diet, a 12-week program that focuses on proteins and excludes starchy foods, and fifth place was the Flexarian diet, a flexible way of eating“.
A success also determined by the fact that it is among the easiest to follow, suitable for families, simple to organize with basic foods, encourages moderate consumption of healthy fats, such as extra virgin olive oil, and discourages unhealthy fats, such as saturated fats, with less than approximately 30% of total calories coming from fats and is suitable for those who follow halal or kosher religious prescriptions.
“The Mediterranean diet is also heart-healthy and has been associated with reduced blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight, as well as better cardiovascular health outcomes and lower rates of heart disease and stroke – underlines Coldiretti Puglia – The abundance of nutrient-rich seafood, nuts, seeds, extra virgin olive oil, beans, leafy greens and whole grains in the Mediterranean diet also boasts many benefits for the brain. Anthocyanins in berries, wine and red cabbage are considered particularly beneficial to health. It is therefore also a response to attempts to accuse its basic components such as wine to promote a unique diet based on ultra-processed foods or even obtained in the laboratory“.
