Heinz, known for its playful takes on pasta with products like Alphabetti and Minions shapes, has stirred controversy with its latest offering: carbonara in a can. This has some questioning whether they’ve gone too far.
So serious, BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Jonny Dymond pondered if this was the “end of culinary civilisation” or a convenient innovation akin to Pot Noodles.
Alessandro Pipero, a Michelin-starred chef from Rome, was unsurprisingly not impressed, comparing the canned carbonara to “cat food”.
While carbonara is a staple in Italian cuisine, its origins are relatively modern, with some suggesting it was inspired by US soldiers’ rations during World War II. Traditional carbonara uses just four ingredients: pasta, egg, parmesan, and pancetta. Heinz’s version, however, includes additional ingredients like cheese powder and garlic flavouring.
Despite the criticism, Heinz remains unapologetic, promotes the convenience of their product. Alessandra de Dreuille, Kraft Heinz’s meals director, stated that their carbonara is perfect for those seeking a quick, fuss-free meal after a long day.
The Heinz Carbonara in a can hasn’t hit Aussie shelves yet, but when it does, will you try it?
