Italy enforces new rules for pasta makers amid tourism surge

Italy is tightening regulations on the "pasta grannies" of Bari amid allegations of food fraud. Some women are accused of selling factory-made orecchiette as homemade, leading to a scandal dubbed "Orecchiette Gate." Authorities found evidence of commercial pasta being improperly disposed of. New rules will require the pasta makers to undergo health checks, wear hair nets, and keep their kitchens clean. They will also need to make pasta indoors, away from outdoor settings, which has sparked protests from the women who claim their kitchens are too small. To ensure authenticity, officials plan to introduce a certification stamp for homemade pasta. The changes come as tourism in Bari increases, creating higher demand for the pasta grannies' products, which some women struggled to meet.