Local purveyors of Italian food are warning that more tariffs could lead to consumers getting a lesser product for the same price they were paying before, writes Laura Benshoff for WITF.

Former Pennsylvania Congressman Lou Barletta gathered owners of local Italian food businesses to hear their views on the costs of tariffs that were imposed last year. The aim was to try to send out a warning signal that another round that would be even more punishing to the industry.

The 25 percent tax issued in October on a variety of consumer products affected several Italian staples, including Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano.

Some, like Bill DiGiacomo, a Conshohocken-based wholesale distributor of specialty foods, stockpiled goods before the tariffs took effect to keep the prices low for the holiday season. However, he has since been forced to raise them.

“We’ve essentially increased prices to our customers 12 to 15 percent,” he said.

He added that if new items are included in the next round of tariffs or if the amount on current ones goes up, “it would be potentially devastating.”

Read more about the issue at WITF by clicking here.