A popular pasta brand in the USA, Barilla, is being sued by two consumers Matthew Sinatro and Jessica Prost, over misleading packaging claims. The brand advertised itself as “Italy’s No. 1 brand of pasta” and is made in Iowa and New York.
Sinatro and Prost claim that the packaging is misleading and they would not have purchased the pasta if they knew it was made in the USA and not Italy.
A judge dismissed Barilla’s notion to drop the lawsuit claiming that the consumer's allegations are sufficient enough and misleading claims were being used to increase profits and obtain an unfair competitive advantage.
Barilla was founded in Parma, Italy, in 1877. The group’s website states it has 30 production districts, 15 in Italy and 15 across the rest of the world. It also notes that product packaging does state where it is made and who it is distributed by.
A Barilla Spokesperson has said they stand by the wording on their product boxes, which clearly states, ‘Made in the USA with USA and imported ingredients.’
Most Barilla products in New Zealand are imported to New Zealand and have ‘Made in Italy’ on the packaging side.
