Food Company Barilla Ranked World’s Most Reputable, Climbs to 9th Place Globally
For the third consecutive year, Barilla has secured its position as the world’s leading company in the food sector for corporate reputation, according to the prestigious Global RepTrak® 100 ranking compiled by RepTrak. Since its inception in 1999, the annual study has assessed the reputation of the world’s most prominent companies, evaluating how they are perceived across key dimensions such as performance, innovation, governance, sustainability, and trust.
In the 2026 edition of the ranking, Barilla achieved a significant milestone by climbing to 9th place globally, a remarkable leap from its 25th position in 2025. This 16-place rise not only places the company firmly within the global Top 10 but also underscores its consistent and strategic efforts to strengthen its reputation over time. The achievement reflects Barilla’s ability to successfully balance product excellence, long-term industrial vision, and a deep-rooted commitment to social and environmental responsibility—factors that are increasingly critical in shaping how stakeholders evaluate corporate performance.
The Global RepTrak® 100 ranking is based on comprehensive research conducted across multiple international markets, capturing public sentiment and expectations. In today’s complex and often volatile global economy, maintaining a stable reputation is already considered a challenge. However, Barilla’s ability to improve its standing so significantly highlights its resilience and adaptability in the face of ongoing pressures, particularly within the food industry.
Sara Fargion, Vice President at RepTrak for the EMEA region, emphasized the significance of this achievement. She noted that while stability in such a turbulent macroeconomic environment is commendable, sustained growth is what truly differentiates leading companies. According to Fargion, the food sector is under intense scrutiny due to persistent inflationary pressures, which continue to influence media narratives and consumer perceptions across the 14 countries included in the study. In this context, Barilla’s upward trajectory demonstrates its capacity to respond effectively to both market challenges and stakeholder expectations.
Operating in more than 100 countries, Barilla has established a strong global presence supported by 30 production facilities and an annual output exceeding 2 million tons. Its diverse portfolio spans pasta, ready-made sauces, and bakery products, making it one of the most recognized names in the global food industry. Central to its continued success is a sustained focus on innovation and product development, ensuring that its offerings remain relevant in an evolving market.
A key example of this commitment is the launch of BITE (Barilla Innovation & Technology Experience), a cutting-edge research and development center inaugurated in Parma in November. This state-of-the-art facility brings together approximately 200 professionals, including food technologists, engineers, researchers, and food designers. At BITE, teams collaborate to develop new products, refine existing recipes, and enhance production processes and packaging solutions. The center represents a fusion of scientific expertise, culinary tradition, and advanced technology, positioning Barilla at the forefront of food innovation.
Moreover, BITE operates within an open-innovation ecosystem, partnering with universities and research institutions worldwide. This collaborative approach accelerates the development of sustainable, safe, and consumer-centric solutions, ensuring that Barilla remains aligned with changing dietary preferences and environmental priorities. As consumers increasingly demand transparency, health-conscious products, and sustainable practices, such initiatives play a crucial role in maintaining trust and relevance.
Barilla’s responsiveness to consumer expectations is further evidenced by its recognition in the Product of the Year program in Italy. In 2025, its premium pasta line, Barilla Al Bronzo, received top honors in the pasta category. The following year, in 2026, the company’s Barilla Protein+ product earned the same distinction. Both awards were determined through research conducted by Circana and based on the preferences of more than 12,000 consumers, highlighting the brand’s ability to resonate with modern tastes and nutritional trends.
In addition to product innovation, Barilla has also expanded its cultural and global engagement through strategic partnerships. Its collaboration with Formula 1 represents a unique effort to bring the brand’s core value of togetherness to a broader international audience. By aligning itself with one of the world’s most popular sporting platforms, Barilla has strengthened its global visibility while reinforcing its message of shared experiences through food.
Beyond commercial initiatives, Barilla has demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility through partnerships with organizations such as The Food Bank and Doctors Without Borders. These collaborations have mobilized thousands of volunteers and citizens worldwide, supporting a wide range of humanitarian and community-based projects. Through these efforts, the company has translated its values into tangible actions, fostering a sense of participation and solidarity.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of Barilla’s long-term strategy. The company continues to integrate environmental considerations into every aspect of its operations, from energy efficiency to water management. Notably, in 2024, Barilla achieved a 45% increase in the volume of water recycled and reused compared to 2022. In regions facing water scarcity, the improvement was even more pronounced, reaching an increase of 164%. These achievements highlight the company’s proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges and conserving vital resources.
Equally important is Barilla’s commitment to its workforce, which comprises nearly 9,000 employees worldwide. Recognizing that people are the driving force behind its success, the company has implemented progressive policies to support employee well-being and inclusivity. Among these initiatives is a global gender-neutral parental leave policy that provides 12 fully paid weeks for both parents, reflecting a commitment to equality and work-life balance.
Furthermore, since 2020, Barilla has achieved global gender pay equity, ensuring equal pay for equal work across all its operations. This milestone underscores the company’s dedication to fairness and transparency, reinforcing its reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking employer.
In conclusion, Barilla’s continued leadership in the Global RepTrak® 100 ranking is a testament to its holistic approach to business—one that combines quality, innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility. As the global food industry continues to evolve, Barilla’s ability to adapt, innovate, and uphold its core values positions it as a benchmark for excellence and trust in the years to come.
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