The likelihood of having an authentic Italian experience next time you order an espresso or cappuccino has been given a boost.

An Italian member of parliament has proposed a bill to ensure the quality of his country's coffee.

Marco Lion, the head of Italy's agriculture commission, wants to set a gold standard for the coffees to ensure that the true identity of the drinks are not lost.

Cafes will have to undergo a series of tests before being given a "Certified Authenticity" label and their production processes will be standardised by the National Institute of Italian Espresso.

This new label will allow buyers to distinguish between authentic Italian products and their imitations.

The bill, which will be discussed in parliament in the first months of 2008, proposes to regulate a selection of Italian products, such as coffee, which are replicated, sometimes to a lesser quality, all over the world.

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