The northern Italian region of Lombardy has passed a package of strict,
new rules for fast-food restaurants. All fast-food eateries, including piadinerie,
pizzerias, ice cream parlours and kebab shops, must now close by 1am, use
plastic or otherwise disposable cutlery and cups, and ensure that the food is
eaten indoors-or risk a fine of up to 3,000 euro.
The regional decree comes following a call by the Northern League, a
populist party that has significant support in the north of Italy, to limit fast-food
restaurants and take-out eateries, which already number about 6,000 throughout the region.
The legislation hopes to ‘put an end to take-out anarchy’ according to
one councilor. It also seeks to curb noise pollution by prohibiting customers
from eating outside.
Members of the centre-left expressed opposition
to the decree, calling it unreasonable given the number and popularity of
fast-foods joints in bigger cities, like Milan. They also questioned who would
be responsible for enforcing the decree, and how.
