Food manufacturer, especially pasta and breads
Established in Italy in 1877. Today one of Italy's largest food-processors, and the world's #1 dry pasta maker.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Barilla SpA
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
F grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of F.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
6/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 6/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index 2024 assessed 30 of the world's largest food and beverage manufacturers on their performance to improve access to nutritious foods. Companies are assessed on the nutritional quality of their product portfolios in 25 global markets, plus policies, practices, and transparency relating to nutrition. Of the 30 companies ranked, this company came 18th.
24.7% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #94/350, with a total score of 24.7/100.
17.9% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #302/816, with a total score of 17.9/100.
Price fixing in Italy
In Feb 2009 the Italian Competition Authority fined twenty six manufacturers and industry associations a total of 12.5m euros for agreeing to uniform price increases. Barilla received the largest fine: 5.7 million euros. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article
(2009)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
Planet Friendly Award 2021
Compassion in World Farming is a UK-based organisation which works with the European food industry to encourage and reward commitment, transparency, performance and innovation in the field of animal welfare. This company received a Special Recognition Award under the Planet Friendly Award banner in 2021. Barilla has successfully implemented cage free eggs across its entire global business and they have reformulated some of their products which has led to a decrease in the use of egg as an ingredient.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform
(2023)
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
Non-GMO products in USA
This company has products that have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, North America's only independent verification for products made according to best practices for GMO avoidance.
Source: Non-GMO Project
(2021)
CDP Forests score of C
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of C.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Boycott call over anti-gay comments
Gay rights activists called for a boycott of Barilla pasta in Sept 2013 after CEO Guido Barilla sparked international outrage when he said he'd never feature a gay couple in ads for his firm's foodstuffs - adding that if homosexuals don't like it, they can buy another brand. After the boycott, Barilla Group started to advocate for LGBT rights, including health benefits for transgender workers and their families, contributing money to gay rights causes, and featuring a lesbian couple on a promotional website.
Source: news artice
(2014)
Tier 4 in farm animal welfare rankings
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranks global food companies on their farm animal welfare policies, practices and performance. This company appeared in tier 4, "Making progress on implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW
(2023)
Company Details
Type:
Family-owned private company
Revenue:
3.4 billion EUR
(2015)
Employees:
8,106
(2013)
Subsidiaries:
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Barilla Australia
Barilla
Pasta Sauce
Barilla
Pasta