According to United Press International, “Free pizza was dished out in Naples Friday as the Italian city celebrated receiving the European Union’s seal of protection, officials say.”

“Neapolitan pizza makers have been fighting for 25 years to have their unique product put on the EU’s list of protected foods, the Italian news agency ANSA reports. On Thursday, the European Commission officially awarded Neapolitan pizza a long-sought Traditional Speciality Guaranteed label or TSG. The result was a huge street party with some 250 free pizzas handed out in less than an hour by the first pizzeria to boast of having the TSG certificate. Pizzerias seeking the seal will have to apply to a special commission. The campaign to get the EU to recognize Naples’ pizza makers picked up speed in 2000 when a committee was set up to develop standards for ingredients and the exact way pizza should be made.”