Authorities in Italy are keeping a close eye on what some ice cream producers use to improve the appearance of their produce i.e make it more fluffy. Forbes Magazine reports that the Italian Senate is putting forward a proposal to control the amount of compressed air pumped into the ice cream mixture, as well as the ingredients used.
If ice cream producers are found to have used any methods to make their products “overly fluffy”, they could face a fine of up to € 10,000. The initiative is meant to target low-quality, industrial production that can see as much as 80% compressed air pumped into the ice cream, which means many customers wind up paying mainly for air.
The bill, proposed by four senators from the Italia Viva party and two from the Democratic party, aims to provide protection for artisan ice cream makers and safeguard consumer rights.
Italian ice cream has always been one of the gastronomic symbols of our country, together with pasta and pizza
Riccardo Nencini, Italian Senator
Authentic Italian gelato ought to be made by slowly churning, rather than whipping, and the ice cream shouldn’t be made up of more than 30 percent air; it should only contain milk, eggs, and fresh ingredients such as fruits for flavoring. “In our legal system, there is no recognition or protection for artisanal ice cream and for those who make it,” said Riccardo Nencini, Italian Senator, to newspaper Il messagero.
According to Travel + Leisure, the bill will impose bans on pre-processed flavor powders and the use of cheaper, synthetic flavors and dyes. The production of ice-cream in Italy is not negligible. It generates, according to Forbes Magazine, a yearly turnover of around €1 billion.
