Italian Outrage Erupts Over Inauthentic Carbonara Sauce at European Parliament

The Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize was caught off guard by the uproar over their carbonara sauce being sold at the European Parliament in Brussels.

In Belgium, a jar of "carbonara sauce" available at the European Parliament has ignited Italian passions after being criticized for containing incorrect ingredients.

Earlier this week, Italy's agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida expressed his outrage by sharing an image of the controversial product on Facebook.

The minister condemned the sauce for using pancetta—a bacon-like pork product—which apparently constitutes a major culinary transgression in Italy's food-conscious culture.

He claimed this exemplifies products that frequently pose as Italian while having little connection to authentic Italian cuisine.

"Finding such products on European Parliament market shelves is simply unacceptable. I've requested immediate investigations," he declared angrily.

The dispute intensified when other members of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party joined the fray.

Lawmaker Carlo Fidanza criticized "products that appropriate the Italian flag and evocative names despite having no Italian elements whatsoever."

He mentioned writing a formal complaint to the European Parliament's president.

The culinary controversy, however, surprised Delhaize, the Belgian supermarket chain responsible for selling the sauce.

"The reaction and media attention surrounding certain Delhaize brand pasta sauces has somewhat surprised us," a spokesperson told AFP.

"Both the name and packaging fully comply with current legislation," they explained.

Delhaize confirmed that authorities had conducted an "official inspection" at their Italian supplier's facilities and found "no infringements."

"We therefore see no reason to modify these products or their packaging in any way. Existing products will continue to remain available on our shelves," the supermarket stated.