L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY, ��� DECEMBER��� 13, ��� 2012��� L���Italo-Americano PAGE��� 21 As the spread of counterfeit goods continues, more fake foods to hit holiday tables ROME - The extent of the Italian made food (agro-food) counterfeit problem is on the rise not just in the world but in Italy as well. Following the above statement, Italians are increasingly at risk of celebrating their holiday feasts with an unwelcome guest, the farmer's association warned on Thursday. According to Coldiretti, many families are likely to end up unwittingly spending part of their budget for Christmas food and beverages on goods of dubious origin masquerading as fine, traditional, Italian fare. Citing research from Deloitte which predicts that sales of foods and drinks for the Christmas feast are expected to hold up well, Coldiretti says this makes this consumer category particularly appealing to fraudsters. Overall, according to the association, food and drinks related fraud in Italy alone is a 1.1 billion euro ($1.6 billion) a year business. It rockets particularly during the Christmas-New Year festivities, according to the asso- ciation. Citing some examples, Coldiretti warns consumers to be on the lookout for Vietnamese octopus labeled as Italian and for fake ''extra virgin'' olive oil, as well as for mozzarella made from powdered milk. Risks are particularly strong in this period of economic difficulty, Coldiretti points out, as consumers increasingly look to ''low cost'' alternatives even in their choice of foods. The list of such violations ��� revealed in raids by the authorities and by consumer studies ��� seems endless in the country famed for its culinary delights. Even spaghetti and Olive oil ��� regarded as the emblematic Italian products ��� sometimes originates outside the country, where production costs (and quality) are lower. Italian sounding products, which are marketed and named in such a way as to sound Italian, are causing considerable economic damage to Italian-made products and Italian registered designation of origin (RDO) and protected Venice anti-flood system 'MOSE is inadequate' conservation body says VENICE - Italian heritage and conservation body Italia Nostra on Monday slammed a controversial flood-prevention system under construction in Venice for being "incapable" of halting dangerously high water. "In case of a repeat of the 1966 flood, MOSE would be incapable of keeping the lagoon waters below 110 centimeters," it said in a statement. The record 'acqua alta' (high water) was in the great flood of 1966, at 194cm. Italia Nostra was citing new research from Venetian engineer Paolo Pizzarolli, a member of France's national research center. "MOSE is inadequate to safeguard Venice, and it is not able to resist flooding," said Italia Nostra. "If it is completed in 2016, according to the most optimistic forecasts, it will have to be demolished soon thereafter". When the 5.7-billion-euro project was conceived in 1984, tide levels were expected to rise by roughly 22cm by the year 2100. According to Italia Nostra, up-todate projections foresee an 80cm rise by the end of the century. Italia Nostra added that even normal flood conditions would pose a serious threat to the antiflood system. "The grandiose MOSE project would be insufficient to protecting the city from the sea if current climate forecasts prove accurate," it said. Floods have reached chest-high levels several times since this autumn, flooding stores and ground-floor apartments. The causes are both natural and man-made. Decades of pumping groundwater caused significant damage to the delicate foundation before the practice was called off. Weather experts say the highwater threat has been increasing in recent years as heavier rains have hit northern Italy. Other possible explanations for the phenomenon include the sea floor rising as a result of incoming silt and gas extraction in the sea off Venice undermining the islands. According to a recent study, plate tectonics are also to blame as the Adriatic plate is sliding beneath the Apennine Mountains, causing the area to drop in elevation. designation of origin (PDO) products, famous all over the world for their qualitative characteristics. Moreover, counterfeit products are also harming Italy's image, especially in relation to the culinary excellence of the Italian regions. In other words, the imitation of such products certainly risks to damage the Italian productions above all in comparison to the parameters of the quality and the food safety, both instruments of marketing used by the Italian producers in the international markets. According to trade associations, the damage caused by such imitation has moved to another level, totaling billions per year. In the United States and Canada in particular, sales of fake Italian products have overtaken real ones by almost 10 to 1. In France there are twice as many Italian-sounding products on the market as originals, in Germany and Holland almost triple. Italy boasts 4500 typical products (DOP, etc) as well as around 500 DOC and DOCG wines. Dec. 15, Sat.- Orange County American Italian Women (OCAIW)-11:00am at Place Mission Viejo Country Club (26200 Country Club Dr., Mission Viejo). Program: Singer Peggie Perkins. Cost $30.00. For information call Linda (714) 812-4410. Dec. 15, Sat.-Club Italia���s Christmas Dinner Dance at St. John Eudes in Chatsworth (corner of Lassen & Mason). If you bring your children or grandchildren to visit with Santa Claus, you must make your reservations no later than Dec. 5, 2012. Cost for children up to age 10 is $5.00 per child plus we will need to know the gender of the child to have the proper toys for them. For reservations and information, call Sigrid Ravizza (661) 297-0507. Dec. 15, Sat.-Fameja Veneta Christmas Dinner at Portofino Restaurant in La Habra. 5:30pm. All Welcome. For information call Joseph Sugar (714) 894-0251 or Maria Varlotta (424) 772-1592 or Olevrina Rastello (626) 284-9824. Dec. 16, Sun.-Madonna S.S. di Costantinopoli, San Padre Pio Society & San Trifone Society Combined Christmas Party at Casa Italiana at 1:00pm. For information and reservations, please call: Madonna S.S. di Costantinopoli (626) 966-3959, San Padre Pio Society (818) 241-4672 and San Trifone Society (323) 257-0302. Music of one man band, puppeteer show, good food, and visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Cost for Adults is $ 35.00 pp and $ 10.00 for children age 3 years to 12 years old. Societies member children 3 years to 12 years old there will be no charge. For children of non societies member under 12 years of age, there will be $ 10.00 charge and will not receive gifts- please bring wrapped gift for them. Dec. 16, Sun.-Madonna S.S. di Costantinopoli, San Padre Pio Society & San Trifone Society Combined Christmas Party at Casa Italiana at 1:00pm. For information and reservations, please call: Madonna S.S. di Costantinopoli (626) 966-3959, San Padre Pio Society (818) 241-4672 and San Trifone Society (323) 257-0302. Cost for Adults is $ 35.00 pp and $ 10.00 for children age 3 years to 12 years old. We invite all members and friends to participate in this beautiful event after the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Peter���s Italian Church. Dec. 16, Sun.-The Garibaldina Society���s Annual Children���s Christmas Party. Santa���s Hours: 11:00am-1:00pm. Showtime: 1:00pm. ���Goodies��� from Santa, Cracker Jacks, Balloons, Christmas Stockings, Ice Cream! For more information call (323) 223-5005. Reservations required no later than December 11 to ensure admittance. Dec. 16, Sun.-Italian Arts Council presents Cinema Italiano! At Bowers Museum (2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706) in the state-of-the-art ultra deluxe Norma Kershaw Auditorium. Film: Pane Amaro (Bitter Bread). Italian with English Substitles. 1:30pm Reception, 2:00pm Screening. Cost: Adults $10, Students $5. For information call (714) 567-3600 or visit http://www.bowers.org/index.php/ learn/events_details/1807 Dec. 16, Sun.- Italian Catholic Federation St. Peter���s Branch #67-ICF Christmas Lunch . 11:00 am at the CASTAWAY. For information, please contact President Anna Di Masi Riggs at (661) 259-2075. Dec. 16, Sun.- Santo Padre Pio Society CHRISTMAS PARTY : 11:00a.m. Mass, 12:00pm lunch at Casa Italiana. For information, please call President Maria Bruno at 818-241-4672. Dec. 20, Thurs.- Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California Dinner Meeting; 7:00 Dinner ($15pp); 8:00 Meeting; Casa Italiana (1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Please RSVP to: Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764, Palmie Crispi (818) 246-5749 or AnnPotenza@aol.com Dec. 31, Mon.-St. New Year���s Eve Gala at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). No Host Cocktails, Hors d���oeuvres 6:30-7:30pm. Dinner 7:30pm promptly. Midnight Buffet, Party Favors, Champagne and Dancing. Cost is $100 per person. Music by Duo Domino. For reservations call (323) 225-8119, ext. 10. Dec. 31, Mon.-The Garibaldina Society���s Gala New Year���s Eve Party. Cocktail Hour & Hors d���oeuvres 6pm, Gourmet Prime Rib Dinner including two bottles of wine 7pm. For information call reservations chairperson Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. Members: $55, Guests: $70.

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