home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
TIME: Almanac 1990
/
1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
/
time
/
052289
/
05228900.025
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-09-17
|
1KB
|
24 lines
WORLD, Page 52World NotesITALYPassing the Taste Test
Like the snooty appeal of the French Appellation Controllee,
the Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata is meant not only
to guarantee origin and authenticity of a product but also to imply
that a particular brand is, well, better than other brands. But
Italy may be producing too much of a good thing. Originally
intended as a guide to superior wines, the DOC stamp of approval
now appears on Parmesan cheese, prosciutto crudo, balsamic vinegar
and chestnuts, all frequent fare on Italian tables. Among the other
items that may soon bear the DOC label: handcrafted ceramics,
Neapolitan pasta and pizza.
The Ministry of Agriculture says it is inundated with requests
for the DOC label from food producers throughout the country. With
an eye on Europe's open market of 1992, Italy's smaller producers
are keen to receive the prestigious DOC symbol to help them stay
competitive with multinational companies as they jostle each other
for a slice of the European market.
Says Antonio Pace, vice president of the Association of
European Pizza Makers: "We want Parliament to protect the consumer
from being cheated." From what? Not enough mozzarella?