Italian consumers are protesting against the doubling of pasta prices, with a consumer advocacy group calling for a nationwide pasta strike. The price of flour and other ingredients used in pasta have fallen from their peak, but overall food prices in Europe have risen due to increased energy and labor costs following the Ukraine war. Despite this, economists believe retail profits are stable and the problem is higher food production costs. Some European countries are considering reducing prices on staple foods to ease the burden on low-income workers and students. However, experts warn that price cuts could worsen inflation. In Italy, the average annual cost of food for a family of four is nearly 12% higher than last year.