Soaring pasta prices caused a crisis in Italy. What can the U.S. learn from it?

While food prices have risen in many parts of the world, a dramatic jump in one of Italy's staple foods has prompted the government to take action. (Matthew Mead/AP)

A long-simmering issue finally boiled over last week, when Italy's government convened crisis talks to address the skyrocketing price of pasta.

Pasta prices jumped 17.5% in March — more than double Italy's inflation rate —compared to the same month in 2022, despite a drop in wheat prices, Reuters reported. That was followed by a 16.5% year-over-year increase in April.