An increasing number of Milanese are shunning aprons for ready-made meals and take out food. It’s such big business that the Chamber of Commerce decided to study it.

So, how much is everyone eating out?

Well enough to register a 101% jump over five years in the number of businesses making and selling prepared foods, with a 30% increase between third quarter 2004 and 2005.

Milan’s food industry has grown over 31% percent, nearly twice as much as the national average of 18% and analysts at the Chamber of Commerce put the grown down to the “laziness” of locals in the kitchen who prefer to buy read-made dishes at supermarkets or get food at delis, kebab joints and Chinese take outs.

It would appear, however, that locals are still respecting the apple-a-day rule — fruit and vegetable processing increased 200% over the last 12 months.