"HOME RESTAURANT IS A COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING ADMINISTRATION OF FOOD TO THE PUBLIC", SAID THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. STOPPANI, FIPE PRESIDENT: "FAIR AND SHAREABLE CHOICE"

“The home restaurant is a commercial activity in the proper sense and therefore subject to the regulations governing administration of food to the public”, stated the Ministry of Economic Development.

“The activity in question”, states the Ministry resolution number 50481, “although exercised only on specific days and given that those people who use the service are limited in number, must be classified as an activity of administration of food and drink. Even if the products are prepared and served on private premises within the home of the cook, they are still equipped premises open to customers. In fact, the provision of those services requires payment of a fee, so even though in an innovative manner, the activities are performed as a proper commercial activity”.

“I welcome innovation that respects the rules”, said Lino Enrico Stoppani, president of the Italian federation of bars and catering services, FIPE and vice-president of the federation of merchants and shopkeepers, Confcommercio.
“The resolution of the Ministry restores, with no room for doubt and interpretation, the rules for fair and correct competition. Rules, taxes and obligations should be equal for all activities. It is not acceptable, first of all for the security and safety of citizens, that there are different ways of catering. On the one hand, those subject to strict standards and regulations to protect quality and health, while on the other hand, those who do not have to go by standards, be subject to controls or hygienic safety. The catering sector is increasingly attentive and open to innovation and experimentation with new formulas, as evidenced by the thousands of enterprises in our country that have earned the trust and appreciation of customers. New ideas and approaches are welcome”, he concluded, “provided they are supported by the proper spirit of enterprise, from transparency and fairness to consumers and to the state”.