Brothers of Italy has requested an investigation after jars of Belgian-made sauce labelled as carbonara and marked with the Italian flag were found in the European Parliament shop. Officials say the products contain cream and bacon rather than traditional guanciale, and the party has asked Parliament president Roberta Metsola to check for breaches of EU labelling rules. Party leaders framed the action as protecting consumers and preserving the authenticity of Italian cuisine.
‘Fake Carbonara’ Row: Brothers of Italy Demands Probe After Italian-Flag Jarred Sauces Sold in EU Parliament
Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has called for an investigation after jars of Belgian-made sauce labelled as “carbonara” and decorated with the Italian tricolour were discovered for sale in the European Parliament supermarket in Brussels.
Italy’s agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, flagged the products on social media, saying they contained ingredients such as cream and bacon rather than the traditional guanciale. He wrote:
“All these products represent the worst of Italian-sounding [Italian imitation products]. It is unacceptable to see them on the shelves of the European Parliament’s supermarket. I have asked for investigations to be carried out immediately.”
Brothers of Italy has written to Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, requesting checks to determine whether the Belgian sauces breach EU food labelling rules. Carlo Fidanza, who leads the party’s delegation in the European Parliament, argued that the use of the Italian flag and references to “Italianness” on products not made in Italy may amount to deceptive marketing.
“The improper use of symbols or references to ‘Italianness’ on products that do not come from Italy may constitute a deceptive practice and therefore be prosecutable,” Fidanza said, adding that protecting authentic Italian products is “not just an identity battle but a matter of transparency and consumer protection.”
The dispute fits a broader pattern of food and labelling campaigns by Brothers of Italy. The party supported European Parliament moves to restrict use of “meaty” terms—such as “steak” or “sausage”—for plant-based products and backed an Italian law banning lab-grown meat. Prime Minister Meloni has also criticised the EU’s approval of certain insects as so-called “novel foods” and introduced labelling measures for insect-based products. The government has created a dedicated “Made in Italy” ministry to defend the country’s culinary traditions.
Carbonara is frequently a flashpoint in culinary debates: the classic Roman recipe uses guanciale (cured pork cheek), Pecorino Romano and eggs, and does not include cream. Pre-made jarred sauces are generally frowned upon by many Italian chefs and home cooks. In September of the previous year, the US firm Heinz drew criticism from some chefs after announcing a canned carbonara product that provoked derisive comparisons.
The European Parliament has not publicly commented on the inquiry request at the time of publication. The letter from Brothers of Italy asks Parliament authorities to verify labelling compliance and ensure consumers are not misled by packaging that implies an Italian origin when the product is produced elsewhere.
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