Hazard alert issued: certain pasta brands may cause lead poisoning
Headline: Barilla Pasta Contaminated with Lead: EU Warns Consumers
Byline: Carmen Mörwald
Main Article:
The European Commission has issued a warning about a popular pasta product from the Barilla brand—Integrale Vollkorn Penne Rigate—due to high levels of lead detected in some packages.
Integrale Vollkorn Penne Rigate
The Contaminated Product and Its Distribution
Some consumers may have the affected pasta in their kitchens, given its widespread distribution. Barilla confirmed that the recalled pasta was distributed in Germany and Switzerland. In Switzerland, the supermarket chain Spar recalled the product together with the responsible cantonal enforcement authority.
Barilla
Potential Health Risks
Lead affects several systems in the body, including the brain, nervous system, blood, and digestive organs. High lead exposure can result in acute or chronic poisoning, manifesting as headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain, anemia, pallor, loss of libido, infertility, and irritability. In severe cases, lead poisoning can be fatal.
500 Gramm
Barilla's Response
Barilla pointed out that the amount of lead found in their pasta is higher than the recommended limit for certain food products, like pasta, but lower than the limit for other comparable foods, such as mussels. However, they highlighted that consumption of the affected pasta in household quantities is not a significant health risk according to the applicable limit values.
1. März 2026
Previous Cases of Food Recall
Recently, spices, fitness bars, and certain federal states have had their respective products recalled due to lead contamination or other hazards.
I13446624
Source and Further Reading
For more information about the product recall, consumers can refer to the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). It is also important to check product packaging for recall information and follow any instructions from local health authorities or Barilla directly.
Additional Information:
- Lead poisoning can cause debilitating neurological and developmental issues in children and pregnant women, making it particularly dangerous for these demographics.
- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reported that humans are more sensitive to lead intake than previously thought.
- The BMUV (Federal Ministry for the Environment) has emphasized the need for strict regulations on lead content in food products, given its toxic nature.
- Small quantities of lead are still present in various food items due to environmental pollution, even if strict limitations are in place.
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Table:
| Product Name | Integrale Vollkorn Penne Rigate || --- | --- || Manufacturer | Barilla || Pack Size | 500 grams || Best Before Date | 1st March 2026 || Batch Number | I13446624 |
- With the alarming discovery of lead contamination in Barilla's Integrale Vollkorn Penne Rigate, consumers might want to consider switching to health-and-wellness alternatives for their pasta, focusing on brands offering lead-free products.
- As the importance of nutrition in maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly apparent, the contamination of food products like Barilla's pasta serves as a reminder to carefully select food-and-drink items, prioritizing those with lower lead content.
- Given the concerns over lead content in food products like Barilla's pasta, it may be beneficial for those seeking a balanced lifestyle to explore fitness-and-exercise options, as regular exercise can help counterbalance potential negative effects of lead exposure on the body.
