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Narrative label: when a food’s story is more effective than tasting it


There is a label can tell us all that there is to know about a product in a simple and informal way.

It’s called a Narrative label, a special initiative promoted by Slow Food with the aim of ensuring transparency and constant synergy between producers and consumers of various food products.

What does the project involve? Slow Food offers a special label that does not replace the one required by law, but is placed next to it. Along with the information reported in line with legal requirements, the origin, farming type and technique, food pairings, aspects relating to the local area and anything else can help us understand the various stages of the supply chain of food will be reported in a simple and straightforward manner.

Indeed, to assess the quality of food or beverages, chemical or physical tests are not enough and tasting them is not enough either. Any kind of technical approach does not take into account the true background of a product and does not enable the consumer to understand if food is made by considering the environment and social justice.

The Narrative label project revolves around the basic concept of Food Quality, a cornerstone at the basis of Slow Food’s philosophy and illustrated by a harmonious mix of three essential elements:

Good: Products that are good from an organoleptic point of view, something that trained senses are able to recognise, are the result of the expertise of those producing them, the selection of raw materials and manufacturing methods that do not alter their natural properties.

Clean: The environment must be respected with sustainable agricultural, zootechnical, processing, marketing and consumption practices.

Fair: Social justice must be pursued by creating working conditions that respect people and their rights, as well as being rewarding.

Therefore, a Narrative label aims at highlighting these three values, enhancing and certifying the absolute quality of the product. Only telling a product’s story can restore its true value.