Italian pasta manufacturers of Aidepi (the Italian Association of Pasta and Baked Goods Industries) learned through media reports about Italian government sending Bruxelles a decree which contains the obligation to indicate the wheat’s origin on pasta labels. In the last 5 months – a note from Aidepi states – Italian pasta industry hasn’t been informed of any changes in this decree. That’s why Aidepi reiterates its opinion and expresses its misgivings about this measure.
Transparency and raw materials
Italian pasta companies are in favour of transparency for consumers and in favour of the indication of wheat’s origin – Aidepi goes on – but the formula adopted does not help consumers. On the contrary, it could confuse them. Consumers are being asked to think that we can speak about Italian pasta only when it’s made with Italian wheat. Or someone is suggesting that the only good quality pasta is the one made with Italian raw materials. That’s not true. The origin alone does not stand for quality. Moreover, this kind of label doesn’t encourage Italian farmers to invest in producing good quality wheat with the standards proposed by pasta manufacturers. That’s why Aidepi calls unacceptable some comments which want to exploit this decree saying it would make it possible to ‘expose a hoax’. It’s a way to discredit the work of all the pasta manufacturing companies which have been always producing good quality pasta, in accordance with the law and without deceiving consumers.