Pasta Panic: US Shoppers Fear Italian Tariff Will Spark Shortage
As the US government prepares to impose a 107% tariff on Italian pasta imports, American consumers are bracing themselves for a potentially disastrous consequence: a shortage of their favorite carb-loaded staple. While many Americans may not be directly affected by the tariff, those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease – like Kelly, a 42-year-old product manager from Philadelphia – could see their options dwindle dramatically.
Kelly, who relies on gluten-free pasta due to her celiac disease, had been warned by fellow gluten-free enthusiasts on social media that the US was on the verge of losing its favorite Italian pasta brands. In response, she panicked-bought $100 worth of Rummo pasta at Wegmans, a popular grocery store chain in the Northeast. "The idea of not having any pasta that I can safely eat and won't cost an arm and a leg was a little terrifying," Kelly said.
While some argue that the impact of the tariff will be limited – with most US-produced pasta already being domestically sourced – others fear that small manufacturers like Sfoglini, which imports organic wheat from Italy, may take advantage of the situation to raise prices. "That's just business," said Scott Ketchum, founder of Sfoglini.
The news has sparked a sense of panic among some Americans who are worried about accessing their favorite pasta brands. As Chris Hayes, an MSNBC host, put it: "I'm now a one-issue voter... This is the attack on Italians in the USA that conservatives *think* 'cancelling Columbus Day' is." On TikTok, users have been sharing memes and jokes about the impending shortage.
However, not everyone is taking the news seriously. Scott Laing, a clinical assistant professor of finance at the University at Buffalo School of Management, pointed out that most pasta sold in the US is already domestically produced – meaning that the tariff's impact will be limited. "Most consumers are going to notice it," he said. "But I don't think most consumers are going to notice it."
Despite these reassurances, concerns about food security and access to affordable gluten-free options continue to linger among some Americans. As Kelly admitted: "I feel so petty saying, 'But my pasta!'" But for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, the prospect of losing their go-to carb source is a serious concern – one that will be closely watched by policymakers and food manufacturers in the coming weeks.
For now, shoppers like Kelly are taking matters into their own hands, stockpiling pasta and anxiously waiting to see how the tariff's impact unfolds. As she put it: "I did not completely clear it out."
As the US government prepares to impose a 107% tariff on Italian pasta imports, American consumers are bracing themselves for a potentially disastrous consequence: a shortage of their favorite carb-loaded staple. While many Americans may not be directly affected by the tariff, those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease – like Kelly, a 42-year-old product manager from Philadelphia – could see their options dwindle dramatically.
Kelly, who relies on gluten-free pasta due to her celiac disease, had been warned by fellow gluten-free enthusiasts on social media that the US was on the verge of losing its favorite Italian pasta brands. In response, she panicked-bought $100 worth of Rummo pasta at Wegmans, a popular grocery store chain in the Northeast. "The idea of not having any pasta that I can safely eat and won't cost an arm and a leg was a little terrifying," Kelly said.
While some argue that the impact of the tariff will be limited – with most US-produced pasta already being domestically sourced – others fear that small manufacturers like Sfoglini, which imports organic wheat from Italy, may take advantage of the situation to raise prices. "That's just business," said Scott Ketchum, founder of Sfoglini.
The news has sparked a sense of panic among some Americans who are worried about accessing their favorite pasta brands. As Chris Hayes, an MSNBC host, put it: "I'm now a one-issue voter... This is the attack on Italians in the USA that conservatives *think* 'cancelling Columbus Day' is." On TikTok, users have been sharing memes and jokes about the impending shortage.
However, not everyone is taking the news seriously. Scott Laing, a clinical assistant professor of finance at the University at Buffalo School of Management, pointed out that most pasta sold in the US is already domestically produced – meaning that the tariff's impact will be limited. "Most consumers are going to notice it," he said. "But I don't think most consumers are going to notice it."
Despite these reassurances, concerns about food security and access to affordable gluten-free options continue to linger among some Americans. As Kelly admitted: "I feel so petty saying, 'But my pasta!'" But for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, the prospect of losing their go-to carb source is a serious concern – one that will be closely watched by policymakers and food manufacturers in the coming weeks.
For now, shoppers like Kelly are taking matters into their own hands, stockpiling pasta and anxiously waiting to see how the tariff's impact unfolds. As she put it: "I did not completely clear it out."
i feel bad 4 ppl w/ gluten intolerance or celiac disease tho! $100 on pasta is CRAZY!!! 
rummo pasta is def worth it tho lol . i dont think most ppl will notice the tariff tho, like Scott Laing said. but idk, i guess its just a whole thing now 
. shouldnt there be more affordable gluten-free options tho? 
! Like, I get it, tariffs are a thing, but come on! If people are really buying up $100 worth of pasta at once 
. Can you even imagine having to shell out that kind of cash for one type of pasta? It's wild. And what about the gluten-free folk? That's like, a whole 'nother level of panic buying 
. I'm low-key kinda worried too... but also low-key kinda hoping someone steps in and saves the day 
. Like, yeah, tariffs can be a thing and all that, but it’s just pasta 
- that sounds pretty scary if you rely on it for eating. But still, I don’t think most people will notice the shortage as much as those with actual food allergies or restrictions 
!
. I mean I get it, tariffs can be a big deal, but come on 107%? That's crazy talk 
.
. Like, how are we gonna ensure that everyone's got access to affordable pasta, gluten-free or not? We need to think beyond just this tariff and get some solutions for real 
.
... Like, who even thought imposing a 107% tariff on Italian pasta was a good idea? It's just going to hurt the gluten-free crowd so hard 
. I mean, $100 for Rummo pasta? No thank you 
. And what about all those small manufacturers like Sfoglini who might take advantage of this situation to raise prices? That's just shady business practices 
. Like, calm down guys. It's just pasta 
. In the meantime, I'll be over here stockpiling my own pasta just in case 
Let me break down some numbers for you:
I'm no economist, but I just don't see how small manufacturers like Sfoglini can take advantage of the situation and raise prices. It's just not gonna fly 
. And what about all the other imported food goods that rely on Italy? This is a slippery slope 
. We need to think about the bigger picture here, folks! 
and people are buying like, a whole $100 worth of gluten-free pasta just in case 
like Kelly who has celiac disease and relies on imported brands for her dietary needs 
. but let's be real, the reality for Kelly and others with dietary restrictions is way different 
.
it's just carbs, guys! 
.
like kelly said, she bought $100 worth of rummo pasta... what's the real plan there again? is that a stockpile or just a mid-week spaghetti dinner? 
i've been meaning to try it out but like, what's the point if our fave pasta brands are gonna be super expensive?! did u know that some companies import wheat from spain now? idk why we need more info on this... anyway, has anyone else seen those tiktok memes about the impending pasta shortage?
Oh man, a 107% tariff on Italian pasta? That's like, a lot of carb-loaded doom and gloom! I mean, I get why some people are freaking out – gluten-free options can be super pricey. But at the same time, it's not like most US-produced pasta isn't already stocked up in our grocery stores. 