Lead alarm at world-famous pasta brand: Recalled from shelves

European Union food safety authorities have issued an important warning regarding a product from the world-renowned Italian food giant Barilla.

According to a statement by the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), lead at levels that could threaten health has been detected in Barilla's whole-wheat pasta.

PRODUCT INFORMATION AND AT-RISK BATCH

The warning applies to the whole-wheat penne pasta known as “Integrale Vollkorn Penne Rigate.” The products in question consist of 500-gram packages with a best-before date of March 1, 2026, and batch number I13446624.

It was stated that these products, which were sold particularly in Kaufland and Lidl stores operating across Germany, could be harmful to human health due to high lead levels.

GERMANY RECALLS PRODUCTS, OTHER COUNTRIES MONITORING

Following the RASFF statement, authorities in Germany took immediate action, deciding to remove the risky products from shelves and initiate a recall process.

Officials stated that the recall would not be limited to Germany and that the process is being monitored in other EU countries such as Sweden.

Consumers are urged not to consume products with the specified batch number under any circumstances, and it was reported that they can return them to the stores where they were purchased without needing a receipt. Food safety experts warned that lead can have serious harmful effects on the nervous system, kidneys, and children's health.