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Quebecers could get paid in a class action lawsuit against this popular pasta brand
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/supermarket-aisle-with-barilla-pasta.jpg?id=60016436&width=2000&height=1500&coordinates=14%2C0%2C14%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you've ever tossed a box of pasta into your cart thinking it was straight from Italy, you might be part of a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-construction-cheque-class-action" target="_blank">class action lawsuit in Quebec</a> that's been authorized. </p><p>A <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/westjet-baggage-fee-class-action-settlement-approved" target="_blank">class action settlement</a> could be in the works, and residents across the province could get a payout if they bought pasta from a popular brand labelled as "Italy's #1 Brand of Pasta," which may not have been made in Italy at all. </p><p>A <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-airport-lawsuit-yul" target="_blank">Quebec class action lawsuit</a> has been launched against Barilla Canada Inc., the company behind the popular pasta brand known for proudly claiming to be "Italy's #1 Brand of Pasta." </p><p>The issue? Many of the Barilla pasta products sold in Canada — including those featuring the Italian flag and Italian-language branding — were actually made in North America using North American ingredients. </p><p>The lawsuit says this could have misled customers into believing they were buying an authentic Italian product, and that kind of marketing might not fly under Quebec's consumer protection laws.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"> <img alt="A box of Barilla pasta with the tagline "Italy's No. 1 Brand of Pasta."" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b1fcb3d457de488eee507fc9d560baf7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="02c83" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-box-of-barilla-pasta-with-the-tagline-italy-s-no-1-brand-of-pasta.png?id=60016290&width=980"/> <small class="image-media media-caption" data-gramm="false" data-lt-tmp-id="lt-659615" placeholder="Add Photo Caption..." spellcheck="false">A box of Barilla pasta with the tagline "Italy's No. 1 Brand of Pasta."</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" data-gramm="false" data-lt-tmp-id="lt-18267" placeholder="Add Photo Credit..." spellcheck="false"><a href="https://www.barilla.com/en-ca/products/pasta/classic-blue-box/tagliatelle" target="_blank">Barilla Canada</a></small></p><p>Anyone in Quebec who bought Barilla pasta products with that famous label since October 24, 2019, is automatically included in the class. </p><p>That means you could be eligible for compensation if the court rules in favour of the plaintiff or a settlement is approved. And while there's no payout yet, the case is moving forward — with Barilla set to defend itself in Montreal's Superior Court soon.</p><p>Although there's nothing you need to do to stay included, there's a deadline coming up if you'd rather opt out and reserve your right to pursue your own legal action outside this class action suit. If you <em>don't </em>want to be part of the class action, you have one month left to opt out. You'll need to <a href="https://www.lexgroup.ca/classaction/barilla-canada-italys-1-brand-of-pasta-class-action/" target="_blank">send your notice</a> by May 22, 2025.</p><p>For now, Quebecers just have to wait and see if this <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/class-action-lawsuit" target="_blank">class action lawsuit</a> will boil over into real cash. And if it does, even a small reimbursement might make that next plate of spaghetti taste just a little bit better.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p> <p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>