Italy’s Government Seeks to Reduce Restaurant Bills for Large Families, Reports Reuters

By Giuseppe Fonte and Angelo Amante

ROME – The Italian government is set to engage in discussions with restaurant owners to regulate prices and make dining out more affordable for larger families, according to a government document obtained on Thursday.

Industry Minister Adolfo Urso has called a meeting with various associations from the catering and food sectors in Rome next Tuesday morning.

This initiative seeks to invigorate the Italian catering industry and encourage family consumption, particularly among larger families that have had to alter their dining habits due to ongoing inflationary pressures.

The government’s objective is to ensure that families can enjoy dining in restaurants, which are a hallmark of Italian culture and lifestyle.

Like many other European nations, Italy is witnessing a gradual decrease in inflation rates after the European Central Bank initiated its longest and most significant series of interest rate hikes. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government aims to implement measures to assist those struggling with rising prices, addressing concerns that companies are charging consumers more than the increase in production costs.

A government official indicated that there is a push to promote menus featuring local products and options specifically designed for children.

This move follows a prior initiative aimed at controlling prices for essential items in supermarkets and small retailers.

In August, France announced similar measures, facing challenges in gaining support from major suppliers, while Germany plans to end tax breaks for restaurants introduced during the pandemic, leading to industry warnings of potential mass closures.

Recent data revealed that Italy’s EU-harmonised consumer price index (HICP) increased by 1.9% year-on-year in September, marking the lowest rate since July 2021.