Italy Might Start Fining Vendors Who Sell Artificially Fluffy Gelato

Italy is known for its top-tier gelato, so it’s no surprise the country wants to maintain that status. And to do so, it’s considering laws dedicated to the quality of the frozen treat. The proposal ties bad gelato-making practices to fines and even suggests banning ingredients like artificial flavors and colors.

According to The Telegraph, the proposal aims to rid the country of “cheapskate vendors posing as gelato artisans, who have been known to sell tubs which contain more air than ice cream.” Vendors who add extra air to the dessert, instead of vigorously mixing it, to give it a fluffier texture could face fines of up to 10,000 euros (around $12,000). The law would cap the amount of air in gelato at 30 percent.

The legislation would also ban the use of alternatives to fresh ingredients, like artificial flavors, coloring, and hydrogenated fats. That sure sounds like a win for gelato lovers and artisan vendors alike!

Photo credit: Tim Graham - Getty Images
Photo credit: Tim Graham - Getty Images

“Italian gelato is one of the gastronomic symbols of our country, along with pasta and pizza,” senator Riccardo Nencini, one of the bill’s supporters, told the outlet. “But our laws do not preserve artisanal ice cream and producers who make it.”

If the legislation passes, you can rest easy knowing the next time you find yourself at a gelato shop in Italy, the dessert will likely be some of the country’s finest.


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