A jar of carbonara sowed discord in the European Parliament. “Cream and Pancetta? That's unacceptable”

Controversy over a sauce: A minister and several Italian MEPs have launched a wave of criticism of a jar of carbonara sold in the European Parliament's supermarket, which they say is not Italian enough, but the manufacturer has dismissed the controversy as baseless.

Cream in carbonara? With an Italian flag on the label? Based on a set of photos, the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, made the first criticisms on social networks earlier this week, AFP and Agerpres report.

“It is unacceptable to see” these products in the European Parliament, he said, announcing that he had immediately launched “an investigation”.

Not enough “Made in Italy”

Far-right elected officials from Fratelli d'Italia, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, stirred spirits even more.

MEP Carlo Fidanza criticized products that “use the flag” of his country and “evocative names that have nothing to do with Italians”, as part of a “deceptive practice”, he said, adding that he had sent an email on the matter to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

The Fratelli d'Italia party does not consider this product to be sufficiently “Made in Italy”. All the more since it does not correspond to the traditional carbonara recipe, which is prepared without cream and without Pancetta, but with dried pork belly (Guanciale), Pecorino cheese, eggs and pepper.

The Delhaize company defends itself: “The name and packaging are fully compliant with the law”

The Belgian-Dutch agro-food group Delhaize, which owns that supermarket located on the ground floor of the European Parliament in Brussels, has not given up on its preparation.

“We are a little surprised by this reaction and the media attention given to Delhaize brand pasta sauces,” the company's communications director said.

“Both the name and the packaging are fully compliant with the legislation in force,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, an official inspection by the authorities “was indeed carried out at our Italian supplier”. “This inspection revealed no wrongdoing and confirmed the compliance of our products,” he added.

“Therefore, we see no reason to adapt these products and their packaging, one way or another. The existing products thus remain available in our districts” in the European Parliament and elsewhere, concluded the representative of the Delhaize company, ending the discussion on this topic.

According to Delhaize's website, that “very smooth” sauce contains cream, milk, smoked pancetta, and Italian Pecorino and Grana Padano cheeses.