Marketed as ‘Italy’s No. 1 model of pasta,’ Barilla sued over product not being made in Italy

Marketed as “Italy’s No. 1 model of pasta,” the favored model Barilla will face a lawsuit over accusations it misled shoppers to consider merchandise made in Iowa and New York had been really made in Italy.

A federal choose on Monday denied Barilla’s movement to dismiss a class-action lawsuit accusing the corporate of misrepresenting its merchandise. Choose Donna Ryu discovered that the corporate’s phrase, “Italy’s No.1 model of pasta,” might mislead shoppers to consider that the pasta is made in Italy. Barilla additionally options the inexperienced, purple and white colours of the Italian flag on the signature blue containers.

Along with asking the courtroom to cease Barilla from utilizing Italy’s likeness in advertising and marketing and on the product, plaintiffs are in search of financial compensation, claiming they overpaid for pasta.

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Barilla originated as a bread and pasta store in Italy however is now based mostly in Illinois. Barilla argues that its trademark is used to “invoke the corporate’s Italian roots by means of generalized representations of the model as an entire,” not mislead patrons.

The choose’s choice comes on the heels of an analogous criticism filed in opposition to the makers of Texas Pete scorching sauce after a California man discovered the product is not really made in Texas.

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What does the lawsuit declare?

Within the unique criticism, Matthew Sinatro and Jessica Prost stated that due to how the corporate’s merchandise are marketed, they bought a number of containers of Barilla spaghetti and angel hair pasta with the assumption the pasta was made in Italy with Italian elements.

The criticism says Barilla doesn’t solely use Italian wheat in its merchandise and exploits shoppers who’re prepared to pay extra for genuine Italian pasta. The corporate is accused of utilizing misleading promoting and advertising and marketing to cost extra and improve earnings.

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The plaintiffs additionally declare Barilla has an unfair benefit over “lawfully performing opponents” on the expense of “unwitting shoppers.”

Barilla didn’t instantly reply to USA TODAY’s request for remark.

Camille Superb is a trending visible producer on USA TODAY’s NOW staff. 

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This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Barilla pasta sued over merchandise being made in US, not Italy