According to CNN, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture Francesco Rolobrida asked the European Parliament for an immediate investigation into the carbonara sauce launched by Belgium’s Delaise.
The product was named “carbonara,” but it used smoked pancetta (Italian bacon) rather than guan chalet (pig cheek aged meat), which is essential for authentic recipes.
Carbonara, home to Rome, the capital of Italy, is considered legitimate to use only guanchale, egg yolks, pecorino, and pepper, and is particularly criticized for its transformation.
On the 18th, Minister Rolobrida wrote on social media (SNS), “Apart from adding pancetta, this product is the worst imitation of Italian food,” adding, “It is unacceptable for such products to be displayed in stores in countries belonging to the European Parliament.”
As the controversy spread, the product was withdrawn from the store.
Italians have extraordinary pride in cooking to the extent that they are enraged by the ministerial appearance of similar sauces in neighboring countries.
In September last year, Heinz, the largest U.S. food company, launched a canned carbonara targeting Generation Z, drawing the ire of Italians.
SAM KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
