McItaly Burger Stirs Up Controversy
McDonald's have unveiled their new "McItaly" burger, emphasizing it will "promote the taste of Italy".
The burger is made from ingredients produced in Italy, and has been launched under the slogan, "McDonald's speaks Italian."
This humble burger (described as "square, with artichoke sauce and Asiago cheese--or olive oil and pancetta") has stirred up foodies around the world.
In a newspaper article reprinted on the Slow Food site, Carlo Petrini, president of Slow Food, wrote about his fears for Italian farming and his doubts that this burger would improve life for either consumers or producers, challenging McDonald's to be transparent about the quality of ingredients, and about the wages paid to farmers:
If the McItaly is just a new way to exploit farmers, paying them poorly, imposing further production standardizations which can only impoverish people, flavor and tradition, then this whole thing is quite a farce.
With the burger launch supported by the Italian government, Berlusconi and Luca Zaia (Minister of Agriculture) have come in for criticism, particularly from the left-wing press.
Supporters believe that the new burger will help Italian farmers, since it's produced wholly from ingredients grown in Italy. Nay-sayers fear that this is just another example of McDonald's global expansion, exploiting rather than protecting local cuisine.
If sales within Italy reach a target of 3.5 million, the burger will be launched worldwide.
Would a McItaly burger entice you into McDonald's?
My husband and I went once to McDonalds for breakfast. On our way out, looking at each other, we simultaneously said, 'never again.' So...no, never.
ReplyNo. It really doesn't sound good at all.
ReplyMcdonalds is the greasiest most mass produced food ever nothing about it it nutrious at all.
ReplyI never eat at McDonald's because all of their food is so processed that I can't handle most of it. If their "McItaly" burger is anything like any of their other theme burgers/sandwiches, it's not going to be anywhere NEAR authentic. Not to mention, I'm sure a hamburger topped with pancetta and olive oil and Asiago cheese doesn't exactly qualify as a real Italian dish.
ReplyI'll usually get a diet coke or water at McDonald's and nothing else. (Well, I once had some apple slices and grapes). Thing is, I'd normally go right for an Italy-style burger - we always do burgers at home with ciabatta bread - but like you, I just can't stomach the processing.
ReplyI don't do fast food so does not entice me at all either.
ReplyI wish people would stop complaining about the burger. I'm hoping they hit the 3.5 mil so we can try it in the US.
ReplyLooks tasty I'm gonna try it!
Replygrease i taste grease with olive oil blah!!!!
Replyyes it would entice me
Replyew...I'm Italian and can honestly say I would never try the McItaly burger...bleah!
ReplyBring it on! I can always cut in half, and save half for later. Sounds great.
ReplyWoooooah! Hold up! Its SQUARE?? I'm sold! I'll have five please.
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