Celebrating Italy's First National Day of Made in Italy with a Focus on the Mediterranean Diet

Today marks the first national day of made in Italy, a day strongly desired by this government. As the Ministry of Health, we have decided to dedicate an event to the Mediterranean diet because it is an Italian excellence and a factor in promoting health and correct lifestyles. We chose to promote this initiative in Cilento where the American researcher Ancel Keys theorized and highlighted the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on health," said the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, who this morning visited the living museum of the Mediterranean diet in Pioppi, a hamlet of Pollica, in the province of Salerno, on the occasion of the first National Day of Made in Italy. During the visit to the museum - a statement reads - the Minister of Health, together with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, and the mayor of Pollica, Stefano Pisani, met with elementary and middle school students who presented projects on the Mediterranean diet. "It is important to learn from childhood - Schillaci added - that eating correctly and healthily means improving one's health. For this reason, I am committed to ensuring that prevention, starting with healthy eating and physical activity, finds adequate space in schools. Today in Pioppi and Paestum we celebrate the Mediterranean diet, based on our local productions, which has the ability, as demonstrated by numerous scientific studies, to help prevent many non-communicable chronic diseases. The Mediterranean diet is part of our cultural heritage and we must ensure that more and more Italians adhere to this healthy dietary model, which preserves biodiversity and is economically sustainable." The Ministry of Health - the note continues - as part of the Made in Italy Day, has produced, together with the Italian Federation of Medical and Scientific Societies, a guide with indications for following a correct and healthy diet according to the principles of the Mediterranean diet with a specific focus on children and the elderly. The beneficial impact on health of the Mediterranean diet - the note continues - is also at the center of the event promoted by the ministry at the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia. Significant is the contribution of experts from the scientific and academic world, supporting the importance of the impact on prevention of correct lifestyles. The day also features chef Alessandro Circiello, president of the Regional Union of Chefs Lazio, author of a menu based on the five colors of the Mediterranean diet to testify how one can eat healthily without sacrificing taste. As recognition for the contribution to the studies that have made known the value of the Mediterranean diet for health on a scientific basis - the note concludes - the minister awarded a certificate to the Keys family and the Mediterranean diet Ancel Keys association.