Barilla 'Insect Flour' Claims: EU Regulations vs. Social Media Panic

The Viral Claim

Beginning in January 2023, social media posts in multiple languages claimed that Barilla, the world's largest pasta producer, was adding insect flour to its products. Typical posts stated:

"Barilla is now putting insect flour in their pasta! The EU has approved bugs in our food without telling us. Check your ingredients!"

These claims spread across Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, and Telegram, generating millions of views and shares. Some posts included doctored images of Barilla packaging allegedly showing insect ingredients. [3]

What the EU Actually Approved

On January 3, 2023, the European Commission authorized the marketing of Acheta domesticus (house cricket) in two forms: partially defatted powder and frozen/dried/powder forms. [1]

This followed a safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that house crickets are safe for human consumption under the proposed conditions of use. [2]

Key points about the EU approval:

• It permits, but does not mandate, the use of insect ingredients
• Products containing insects must be clearly labeled
• Allergenic warnings are required (insects may trigger reactions in people allergic to crustaceans)
• The approval applies to specific products, not all foods

Barilla's Official Response

Barilla has repeatedly and explicitly denied adding insect-based ingredients to any of its products. The company stated that its pasta is made exclusively from durum wheat semolina and water, in accordance with Italian law governing pasta production. [5]

EU Labeling Requirements

A critical point ignored by misinformation is that EU regulations mandate clear labeling of insect-derived ingredients. Under EU Novel Food Regulation 2015/2283, any product containing insects must: [9]

• List the insect species by its common and scientific name
• Include allergen warnings for consumers with crustacean allergies
• Specify the form of insect ingredient (powder, frozen, etc.)

This means consumers can easily verify whether a product contains insects simply by reading the label. No "secret" addition of insect flour is possible under EU law. [11]

Why This Misinformation Spread

The Barilla insect flour hoax exploited several psychological and informational factors:

1. Timing and Correlation

The EU's insect approval came into effect in January 2023, providing a factual hook for false claims. Misinformation often twists real events into fabricated narratives. [10]

2. Disgust Response

Insects trigger an innate disgust response in many Western cultures. This emotional reaction makes insect-related claims highly shareable, regardless of accuracy.

3. Distrust of Institutions

The claims tapped into existing suspicion of the EU, large corporations, and regulatory bodies. Posts framed the situation as a conspiracy between government and industry.

4. Misunderstanding of "Approval"

Many people confused regulatory permission with requirement. The EU allowing insect ingredients does not mean manufacturers must use them. [6]

The Broader Context: Insects as Food

While the Barilla claim is false, the EU's interest in insect protein is real and based on sustainability research. Insects are promoted as a potential solution to food security challenges because they:

• Require significantly less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock
• Produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• Are already consumed by an estimated 2 billion people globally
• Provide high-quality protein and micronutrients

However, the current EU approvals are for voluntary use in specific product categories, primarily targeting consumers who actively choose insect-based products, not mainstream pasta. [6]

Conclusion

The claim that Barilla has added insect flour to its pasta is categorically false. This misinformation exploited the real EU approval of certain insect proteins to manufacture a fake controversy about a beloved Italian brand.

Key facts:

• Barilla pasta contains only durum wheat semolina and water
• The company has explicitly denied adding insect ingredients
• EU regulations require clear labeling of any insect-derived ingredients
• Italian law prohibits calling a product "pasta" if it contains non-wheat ingredients

Consumers can easily verify product contents by reading labels. The viral claims rely on people sharing without checking rather than any hidden corporate or government conspiracy.