From cheese to olive oil, Italy is renowned for producing some of the best ingredients in the world. But how do you know if that is really made in Italy, or just made to look like it is?
A new app is taking the guesswork out of your purchasing decisions. Simply scan and see.
Created by not-for-profit organisation Reliabitaly, the free app runs worldwide on iOS and Android devices to help consumers distinguish between products that are genuinely made it Italy and those that are simply Italian-sounding.
The app uses barcodes to provide information on the origin of the food as well as production methods - from raw materials to processing - for food and drink, as well as fashion and design.
The products have to be verified by Reliabitaly's technical committee, and will then feature the organisation's R symbol on the packaging or label.
"The Italian production has always been known for the quality of its products and its services, focusing more on its excellence rather than its production volume," says the creators of the Reliabitaly app.
"The skills and dedication of our producers, and therefore their excellent results in terms of quality, accuracy, design and attention to details, have been Italian products gain considerable fame and prestige in the eyes of consumers."
They say this has led to a global market for Italian-sounding products, that rely on the use of images, colours, names, brands and logos that are typically associated with Italy to attract customers.
According to consumer association Coldiretti, the market of fake Italian products, known as ‘Italian sounding’, is more profitable than the 'Made in Italy' market, and is valued at 54 billion euros (AUD$78 billion), double the amount made through exports of genuine Italian items.
A carried out by Coldiretti in 2016 found that two out of three Italian-sounding products were fake, with many clones coming from countries such as Slovenia, Romania, Portugal and the Netherlands.
"Reliabitaly verifies the production methods to guarantee not only that a product is made in Italy, but also that it is made following those quality standards that have made the 'Made in Italy' such a coveted brand around the world." Whilst not all products have been incorporated into their app database yet, Reliabitaly are working on increasing their sources and brand reach.
Have we got your attention and your tastebuds? It's all about Italian cuisine on this week's episode of airing weeknights at 6pm. Check out the for episode guides, cuisine lowdowns, recipes and more.
