Restaurant policing scheme unveiled by Italians

The Italian government last week revealed details of its campaign to police the authenticity of Italian restaurants abroad.

A pilot scheme will go ahead in Belgium next year to coincide with Italy's presidency of the European Union.

To qualify for a "seal of authenticity," restaurants will be inspected and must satisfy a series of requirements regarding ingredients, cooking methods, the ability to explain the menu in Italian, service, and decor.

Qualifying restaurants must also display Italian food and wine products that customers can buy.

The scheme is designed to curb "dirty competition" in the shape of "counterfeit" copies of products such as Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, and "Italian-style" restaurants, which are growing in step with the popularity of Italian cuisine abroad.

Research carried out for the Italian government puts the number of Italian restaurants around the world at 60,000. It estimates that only a quarter have the right to call themselves authentic.

Italy's agriculture minister Gianni Alemanno said: "If authentic and certified, Italian restaurants around the world could be a great means of promoting our agricultural products."

Although the scheme is voluntary, Alemanno believes that around 20% of Italian restaurants will want to obtain a certificate. He said they would now have a clear way in which to distinguish themselves from non-authentic restaurants.

After Belgium, the scheme will be taken to Japan and the USA.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 17-23 October 2002