WORLD PASTA DAY 2014
RICCARDO FELICETTI, PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN PASTA MAKERS,
ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE IPO – INTERNATIONAL PASTA ORGANISATION
Buenos Aires, 24 October 2014 – Pasta consumption is undergoing continuous development and the nutritional values of this product, a great favourite within every age group, are widely recognized internationally. In this context the IPO (International Pasta Organisation www.internationalpasta.org) plays a lead role, a sort of “UN of pasta,” which, ever since its founding, in 2005, has been dedicated to increasing pasta consumption and awareness around the world. World Pasta Day is an event promoted by the IPO.
The International Pasta Organisation has 27 members (among which two European Federations, UNAFPA and SEMOULIERS) representing 19 countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Guatemala, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela).
Starting in 2015, the President of the organisation will be Riccardo Felicetti, current President of the Italian pasta manufacturers, who will replace Claudio Zanao, of Brazil, President of ABIMA. “To represent pasta producers of the whole world,” says Felicetti, “is for me both a source of great pride and great responsibility. Pasta is a global, nutritionally valuable food, and can play a central role in everyone’s diet. I shall therefore do my best to contribute to its promotion and to the dissemination of its countless positive values.”
The IPO Secretary General’s Office is handled by AIDEPI (The Italian Association of Confectionery and Pasta Industries). The Secretary General is Raffaello Ragaglini, Honorary Secretary of UNAFPA (Union of Organizations of Manufacturers of Pasta Products of the E.U.).
Particularly satisfied with the organization’s progress under his direction, Secretary General Raffaello Ragaglini emphasizes how, “Thanks to this organization, it was possible to ensure coordination of communication activities at the international level in favour and protection of the pasta product and its image. With total support from Members we are ready to proceed with ever increasing determination on the road taken to internationally assert the principle that pasta, in addition to being tasty in its simplicity, represents a good food choice, affordable and sustainable.”
To support its activities, the I.P.O has also set up a Scientific Advisory Committee, composed of internationally recognized experts in the fields of pasta production, medicine and food science. There are currently 25 experts from 17 different countries.
