As travelling foodies know, airport liquid restrictions have caused heartbreak for multitudes of international globetrotters. Many a bottle of limoncello or olive oil has been dragged from the hands of unwilling passengers and tossed out. And the same goes for thousands of jars of authentic Italian pesto. So much so that the Italian port city of Genoa, the birthplace of pesto, has partially relaxed its liquid restrictions, allowing passengers to fly home carrying the city’s famed pesto with them.

In early June, Genoa Airport announced the Il Pesto è Buono scheme (‘Pesto is Good’) that allows passengers to carry up to 500g of the sauce in their hand luggage. The only catch being that they have to donate at least half a euro (75¢) to Italian children’s charity Flying Angels. Not only does the scheme raise money for a good cause, it also prevents enormous amounts of quality Genovese pesto going to waste. Passenger safety isn’t compromised – the jars undergo the same explosives testing as medicines and breast milk.

Approximately 1000 jars of pesto have already been saved from the customs bin, raising more than 500 euros.

Looking for a little pesto inspiration? Check out our gallery of 61 easy pesto recipes, here.