Heinz has launched canned spaghetti carbonara – although Italians would argue you should not be allowed to call it carbonara. 

The company behind spaghetti hoops and alphabetti have moved to slightly higher cuisine, rolling out canned spaghetti carbonara from mid-September.

For just €2, people can now buy the ready-made meal – although some have argued that the bargain comes at the cost of insulting all of Italy. 

Head of Community at Euro-Toques Ireland and Italian native Manuela Spinelli said she’s happy for the Irish people – but she won’t be getting canned carbonara anytime soon. 

“I’m very delighted for you all,” she told The Anton Savage Show. “Not for us [Italians]. 

“Each to their own – I mean, it takes 10 minutes to make carbonara, so I don’t really see the point of sticking it in a can. 

“I wouldn’t call it carbonara, that’s all - call it pasta with cream and pancetta in a can.” 

She said it is hard to see such an iconic Italian delicacy be reduced to a can. 

“How would you feel if they took a pint of Guinness and they put orange juice, a bit of sugar, a bit of lemon - and then they call it a pint of Guinness?” she said. 

“It's the same as carbonara in a tin for us.” 

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K Club Chef Gary O’Hanlon said Italian people often need to “calm down” about people modifying their native dishes. 

“Italians have been getting themselves in a knot about their dishes for generations,” he said. 

“I got to say, though, sticking carbonara in a tin is a stretch. 

“But look, Heinz are smart people - they put spaghetti and tomato sauce in tins a long, long time ago. 

“I'm quite partial to a nice spaghetti soup myself with some toast whenever I'm in a rush. 

“But I think it is definitely a step too far for me - I can't see it ever entering the realms of my pantry anyway.” 

Ms Spinelli agreed that it’s not a big deal to modify dishes – but no self-respecting Italian will ever have canned carbonara in their kitchen. 

Heinz itself has said their new canned dish is the perfect meal “on its own or on toast”. 

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