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Barilla is an Italian food brand best known for pasta, pasta sauces, bakery products, and crispbread. Barilla is ultimately owned by Barilla S.p.A., part of the privately held, family-owned Barilla Group headquartered in Parma, Italy.

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Updated: 19 October 2026 ·
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About Barilla

What is Barilla?

Barilla is an Italian food brand founded in Parma in 1877. Barilla is best known for dried pasta and also sells pasta sauces, pesto, bakery products, crispbread, and other packaged foods. Barilla Group describes itself as family-owned and not listed on a stock exchange. Barilla products are sold in more than 100 countries. Barilla Group reported 29 production facilities and more than 2,109,000 tonnes of products sold in 2022. The group has operations or markets identified in Italy, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Russia, Singapore, China, Japan, and Australia. Barilla Group described Barilla as the world’s pasta leader in 2017. The group also described itself as a leader in pasta and pasta sauces in continental Europe, bakery products in Italy, and crispbread in Scandinavia.

Who owns Barilla?

Barilla is ultimately owned by Barilla S.p.A., part of Barilla Group, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on September 24, 2026. Barilla Group is headquartered in Parma, Italy, and remains family-owned. Barilla is not owned by Nestlé. Barilla Group states that the business is not listed on a stock exchange and remains under family ownership. The Barilla family has directed the group through the fourth generation, including brothers Guido, Luca, and Paolo Barilla. Barilla’s ownership history includes a temporary change. The Barilla family controlled the business from its founding in 1877 until Pietro and Gianni Barilla sold the controlling interest to the American multinational W.R. Grace in 1971. The reported sale price was more than US$70 million. W.R. Grace managed Barilla for eight years. Pietro Barilla repurchased the majority of the family company in 1979 for a reported US$65 million, restoring family control. After Pietro Barilla died in 1993, his sons Guido, Luca, and Paolo took over the company. They began an internal reorganization and expanded the business internationally.

Where does Barilla come from?

Barilla comes from Parma, Italy. Pietro Barilla Sr. created the business in 1877 by opening a small bread and pasta shop on Via Vittorio Emanuele in Parma. Barilla was originally made by the bakery and pasta shop founded by Pietro Barilla Sr. in Parma. The business included a bakery oven and produced bread and pasta. In 1910, Pietro Barilla’s sons Riccardo and Gualtiero built Barilla’s first pasta factory. The factory was equipped with a continuous-baking oven. The business remained under Barilla-family control for most of its early history. The family sold the controlling interest to W.R. Grace in 1971 during a period of economic pressure in Italy. Pietro Barilla bought the company back in 1979, and Barilla has remained in family ownership since then. Barilla acquired the Voiello brand in 1973. The acquisition took place during the period when W.R. Grace held the controlling interest in Barilla.

What products does Barilla make?

Barilla makes dried pasta, pasta sauces, pesto, bakery products, and crispbread. The group sells these products through Barilla and other brands in its portfolio. Barilla pasta includes familiar dried shapes such as spaghetti, penne, linguine, and fusilli. Product ranges vary by country. Barilla also sells whole-wheat pasta, legume-based pasta, protein-focused pasta, gluten-free pasta, and other specialty products in selected markets. Barilla pasta sauces include tomato-based sauces and prepared pasta sauces. Barilla pesto is another product category sold under the Barilla name. Ingredients, recipes, and labeling can differ between countries and individual products. The wider Barilla Group portfolio includes bakery and snack brands such as Mulino Bianco, GranCereale, Pan di Stelle, Pavesini, Ringo, Togo, Gran Pavesi, and Gocciole. Its crispbread business includes Wasa. Other brands associated with the group include Voiello, Harrys, Catelli, MISKO, Pasta Evangelists, Filiz Makarna, Back to Nature, and Yemina.

Is Barilla pasta made in Italy or the USA?

Barilla pasta is made in both Italy and other countries, including the United States, because Barilla Group operates an international production and market network. Barilla originated in Parma, Italy, and the group’s headquarters remain in Parma. The country of manufacture depends on the specific product, package, and market. A Barilla product sold in the United States is not necessarily made in Italy. The package’s country-of-origin or manufacturing statement is the appropriate source for a particular box. Barilla Group reported 29 production facilities in 2022 and described its products as available in more than 100 countries. This international structure means that “Barilla” identifies the brand and owner, but not one single manufacturing location for every product.

Is Barilla pasta healthy, good, or bad for you?

Barilla pasta can fit into a balanced diet, but its nutritional value depends on the specific product, portion, and meal. Barilla sells several pasta types, including standard semolina pasta, whole-wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, and protein-focused pasta. Standard pasta is primarily a carbohydrate food. Whole-wheat pasta generally provides more dietary fiber than standard refined pasta, while protein-focused products are formulated to provide more protein than conventional pasta. The relevant nutrition facts vary by product and country. Barilla pasta is not automatically healthy or unhealthy in isolation. The overall meal, serving size, sauce, added fats, vegetables, and protein affect the meal’s nutritional profile. Shoppers should use the nutrition panel and ingredient list on the specific package rather than applying one description to every Barilla product. Barilla pasta can be a suitable food for some people with diabetes, but the appropriate portion and product depend on the individual’s carbohydrate needs and medical guidance. “Protein” on a product label does not make a pasta product suitable for every diet or medical condition.

Is Barilla protein pasta good and is it gluten free?

Barilla protein pasta is a higher-protein pasta option, but whether it is gluten free depends on the exact product. Barilla’s protein-focused pasta and Barilla’s gluten-free pasta are separate product categories in markets where both are sold. A product marketed as protein pasta should not be assumed to be gluten free. Shoppers who avoid gluten should look for an explicit gluten-free statement and check the ingredient and allergen information on the package. Whether Barilla protein pasta is “good for you” depends on the shopper’s dietary goals, serving size, and the rest of the meal. It may be relevant to people seeking more protein, but its calories, carbohydrates, fiber, ingredients, and allergens must be checked on the specific package.

Is Barilla pasta or pesto gluten free and vegan?

Barilla sells gluten-free pasta, but ordinary Barilla pasta and Barilla pesto should not be assumed to be gluten free without checking the product label. Recipes and labeling vary by product and market. Barilla gluten-free pasta is made for consumers seeking pasta without gluten-containing grains. The exact ingredients and allergen controls depend on the product. A shopper with celiac disease or a medically diagnosed gluten sensitivity should rely on the package’s gluten-free declaration and allergen information. Barilla pasta may be vegan when the particular product contains no animal-derived ingredients, but the full product range is not automatically vegan. Barilla pesto commonly requires closer label checking because pesto recipes can include dairy ingredients such as cheese. The package ingredient list is the definitive source for a specific Barilla product.

Is Barilla an ethical company?

Whether Barilla is considered ethical depends on the standards used, including labor practices, environmental impact, supply chains, advertising, and corporate governance. Barilla Group presents sustainability and social responsibility as areas of its business reporting, but those statements do not establish a universal ethical judgment. Barilla has also faced public controversy. In 2013, chairman Guido Barilla apologized after comments about the representation of families in advertising drew criticism and prompted calls for a boycott. The company later announced changes to its approach to diversity and inclusion. A neutral assessment requires separating Barilla’s stated policies from independently verified performance and from criticism of particular decisions. Consumers evaluating Barilla can examine the ingredients, sourcing claims, environmental disclosures, labor information, and any relevant regulatory findings for the specific issue that matters to them.

Why is Barilla being sued?

Barilla has been involved in legal disputes and consumer lawsuits in different markets, but the reason for a lawsuit depends on the specific case. A lawsuit is an allegation or legal claim, not proof that a company violated the law. One widely reported type of dispute has concerned marketing and labeling claims, including allegations that product descriptions or representations could mislead consumers. Other disputes have involved advertising, employment, competition, or commercial matters. The legal status and outcome can differ by jurisdiction and case. Shoppers should identify the court, country, filing date, and product named in a report before treating a claim as applying to all Barilla products. Barilla’s ownership and Italian origin do not determine the outcome of an individual lawsuit.

What companies and brands does Barilla own?

Barilla Group owns or controls a portfolio that includes Barilla, Voiello, Mulino Bianco, GranCereale, Pan di Stelle, Pavesini, Ringo, Togo, Gran Pavesi, Gocciole, Wasa, Harrys, Catelli, MISKO, Pasta Evangelists, Filiz Makarna, Back to Nature, and Yemina. The group’s portfolio and corporate structure can change over time. Barilla acquired Voiello in 1973. Wasa became part of the group after Barilla acquired the Swedish crispbread company in 1999. Barilla Group is the relevant owner for questions about Barilla pasta, Barilla pasta sauce, and Barilla America. Barilla Bay Oysters is a separate Australian oyster business and should not be treated as a Barilla Group food brand solely because the name contains “Barilla.”

Frequently asked questions about Barilla

Who owns Barilla pasta now?

Barilla pasta is ultimately owned by Barilla S.p.A., part of the privately held Barilla Group. The group remains family-owned and headquartered in Parma, Italy.

Does Nestlé own Barilla?

No. Nestlé does not own Barilla. Barilla Group states that the business remains family-owned and is not listed on a stock exchange.

Is Barilla a real Italian pasta brand?

Yes. Barilla was founded in Parma, Italy, in 1877 by Pietro Barilla Sr. The business later became international, but its headquarters remain in Parma and the group remains under Barilla-family ownership.

Is Barilla pasta slow dried?

Some Barilla products may use different drying processes, but drying claims depend on the exact product and market. Shoppers should check the package or the product information for a specific slow-drying claim rather than applying it to all Barilla pasta.

Is Barilla protein pasta healthy for diabetics?

Barilla protein pasta may fit some diabetes meal plans, but suitability depends on total carbohydrates, portion size, fiber, ingredients, and the individual’s medical guidance. The product’s nutrition panel should be checked before making a dietary choice.

Is Barilla pasta good for a vegan diet?

Some Barilla pasta products may be vegan, but the entire range is not automatically vegan. Check the ingredient list and allergen statement for the exact product, especially for products containing sauces or pesto.

Where can I check whether my Barilla pasta is gluten free?

Check the gluten-free declaration, ingredient list, and allergen information on the package of the exact product. Barilla sells gluten-free pasta, but ordinary Barilla pasta and Barilla pesto should not be assumed to be gluten free.

Who owns Barilla America?

Barilla America is part of Barilla Group, whose ultimate owner is Barilla S.p.A. and whose headquarters are in Parma, Italy. Barilla Group reported the United States among its global markets and operations.

Sources: barillagroup.com: barilla italian 1877, barillagroup.com: 1877 2017 barilla turns 140 history italian family, barillagroup.com: 25th anniversary pietro barillas passing, barillagroup.com: barilla commemorates pietro barilla, barilla.ru, barilla.com: about us, archiviostoricobarilla.com: the barilla historic archive, barilla.com: unternehmen, encyclopedia.com, whobrands.com, archiviostoricobarilla.com: chronology, en.wikipedia.org, archiviostoricobarilla.com: barilla history, foodnavigator.com, transatlantictransfers.polimi.it, barillagroup.com: eng barilla group 2022 sustainability report who we are.pdf, greatitalianchefs.com, gamberorossointernational.com

Ownership data is compiled from public sources and verified where possible. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction below.

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