Italians are tired of copying their cuisine. The issue became political
More cheeses based on Italian originals (Grana Padano, ricotta, mozzarella) are sold around the world than the originals. Italian officials are also disappointed with the quality of many restaurants serving Italian cuisine outside Italy. The matter is so serious that the ministry is to deal with it.
Raise your hand if you have ever been to a restaurant promising Italian specialties and felt a bit disappointed after the meal. It's supposed to be carbonara, but with cream and cherry tomatoes, “to give something happening on the plate.” Or, although the dish is prepared according to art, a true lover of Italian cuisine will immediately realize that the cheese, pasta and olive oil do not come from Italy. Moreover, Polish dairy farmers have been producing Italian cheeses such as burrata, ricotta, and mozzarella for some time now. They are much cheaper than original Italian cheeses, for which you would have to go to Italian delicatessens, which can be found in every large city.
Ministry of Protection “made in Italy”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said “enough” and wants to better protect the “made in Italy” brand. This is evidenced by the renaming of the Ministry of Economic Development into the Ministry of Companies and Made in Italy.
All the activities described above: changing regulations, using products not originating in Italy and producing goods based on recognizable Italian brands are called – in English, not Italian – “Italian sounding”. According to PAP, the most frequently counterfeited cheeses include Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano. More fakes are produced than originals. Among the cold cuts, the most fakes are Parma ham.
Culinary distortions are a matter of state importance, as evidenced by the involvement of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida. He wants to take steps to force Italian restaurants around the world to be Italian not only in name.
– Enough with places that are supposedly Italian but use foreign products; Enough with chefs who cannot cook in Italian and are the object of ridicule, he said in a press interview.
