Italian schools swap traditional pork dishes for chicken curry and couscous

Schools in Pordenone, located in the northeastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, are replacing traditional Italian dishes with chicken curry and couscous, the Daily Mail and The Telegraph reported. The initiative aims to accommodate Muslim pupils who cannot eat certain meats for religious reasons. [1][2]

The menu changes will see air-dried San Daniele prosciutto, porchetta, and pasta all'amatriciana removed from school lunches. Pasta all'amatriciana traditionally relies on pork jowl as a primary ingredient, according to the Daily Mail. [1]

Curry originated in Indian cuisine and became internationalised through historical culinary exchanges, while Italian cuisine was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2025. [3][4]

The Daily Mail noted that school officials introduced the new plan to foster inclusivity, as a significant proportion of the student body was unable to consume the traditional pork-based meals. [1]