Frequently Asked Questions
Purchasing/Shipping
Online: If you're in the US, you can buy 6-packs directly from our website or from our Amazon Pasta, Mac, Rice, and Plant-Based Mac pages. You can purchase individual boxes online via Thrive Market, FreshDirect, Target.com or Walmart.com. You can order on Natura Market if you're in Canada.
In Store: If you want to grab individual boxes of Banza, you can find us in a store near you. Type your zip code into our store locator.
~3-5 business days after you order. Look out for a tracking number from info@eatbanza.com. Note: If you ordered more than one case, they may be arriving in separate shipments.
You can get Banza shipped to Canada via Natura Market. We aren't available in other countries just yet.
We offer refunds and/or replacements on a case by case basis. Refund/replacement requirements are: description of product, lot number (on the bottom of the box), and photos of product and packaging. If you weren’t satisfied with your order, please email us directly so we can make it right. We want to hear your feedback!
Banza Pasta Questions
Our pasta is made from over 90% chickpeas. For the rest of our pasta, we use non-GMO tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum, which help bind the chickpea flour together as a vegan egg replacement of sorts. Check out our nutrition label for more info!
Xanthan gum is produced by the fermentation of a sugar (glucose)—much like the way yogurt is made. In our case, it's a non-GMO ingredient that adds volume; it’s in many of your favorite sauces, for instance. Our xanthan gum is derived from corn. There are no corn proteins in xanthan gum, and the ingredient itself is a very small percentage of the product. That said, if you have an allergy to corn, we advise checking with your doctor before eating Banza.
The serving sizes reflect uncooked pasta. When you cook Banza, it almost doubles in size and weight, taking on the water it’s boiled in. The nutrition information of cooked Banza is the same as that of the dried pasta you measured before cooking.
Of note, some pasta shapes take up more room than others. For example, one cup of Banza Rotini (measured dry) equals about 2.3 oz (dry), whereas one cup of Banza elbows (measured dry) equals about 3.8 oz (dry).
Banza contains 175mg phosphorus (15% DV) and about 510mg potassium (10% DV) per 2 oz serving.
All of our pasta shapes (Angel Hair, Cavatappi, Elbows, Linguine, Penne, Rigatoni, Rotini, Shells, Spaghetti, Wheels, Ziti, Alphabets, Casarecce, Gemelli) are certified by Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), and are produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
For specific allergen information by product line, click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@eatbanza.com.
Yes, our pasta is Non-GMO Project Verified.
While our pasta is Non-GMO Project Verified, it's not certified organic. We invest in nutritious, premium ingredients, while staying true to our mission of making nutritious food accessible to more people. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that their standards are in line with our brand values.
Our pasta shapes (Angel Hair, Cavatappi, Elbows, Linguine, Penne, Rigatoni, Rotini, Shells, Spaghetti, Wheels, Ziti, Alphabets, Casarecce, Gemelli, Bowties, Lasagna) are not made with ingredients that include "major food allergens" as defined by the FDA.
Our Mac and Cheese products include pre-packaged cheese pouches (containing Milk). Of note, the cheese for our Mac and Cheese is produced and packaged at a separate facility from our pasta. Our pasta facility receives pre-packaged and sealed cheese pouches for insertion into our Banza Mac and Cheese boxes. The cheese is not manufactured or reworked at our pasta manufacturing facility, but simply repacked from case to box. We have a dedicated allergen storage area for cheese pouches and an allergen preventive control plan. For specific allergen information by product line, click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@eatbanza.com.
Yes, Banza pasta is certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union. Search Banza here to see our certifications for each shape. Note: Our Mac and Cheese products are not Kosher.
Banza pasta is a low glycemic index food, with a score of 44 (GI study here). To be considered Low GI, a food must score at less than 55. We've had many people with diabetes note that they feel comfortable eating Banza frequently. Banza is high in fiber and protein, and has 30% fewer net carbs than traditional pasta, and chickpeas have been shown to improve blood sugar control. That said, we always recommend checking with your doctor or dietitian.
All Banza products are made in the United States.
A few tips for best results when cooking Banza:
-Start tasting the pasta about a minute before the shortest cook time on the box. All stoves are different, so we recommend tasting noodles until they reach your desired texture.
-When the pasta reaches your preferred texture, strain it, and rinse under water as you strain. Rinsing Banza after cooking removes the chickpea starch that forms during the cooking process.
-Some tips to decrease the foam: fill your pot with more water, turn the burner down to a lower heat, add a splash of olive oil to the water, and/or scrape some foam off the top with a spoon.
A boiling pot of Banza may foam up a bit more than traditional pasta. This same foam occurs when boiling chickpeas themselves (Banza is made from over 90% chickpeas!). Some tips to decrease the foam: fill your pot with more water, turn the burner down to a lower heat, add a splash of oil to the water, and/or scrape some foam off the top.
Two years from the date of production. Find the Best By date printed on the bottom of the box.
Yes! We recommend cooking an extra two minutes for cold prep. Check out these recipes for inspiration.
Yes you can. Banza is delicious when baked. Try this recipe, and others from our blog!
Banza is pronounced bahn-zuh. The first syllable “ban” rhymes with “on,” not “an." As in, Banza is what's on your plate...for dinner tonight. Banza is shorthand for "garbanzo pasta."
Banza Mac & Cheese Questions
Banza Mac is high-fiber, high-protein, lower carb, gluten-free, and rBST-free. For specific ingredients and nutrition info by flavor, click below!
Yes, our mac and cheese is gluten-free by FDA standards, and tested as such.
We note that Banza Mac and Cheese is manufactured in separate facilities, some of which also process gluten containing products. For specific allergen information by product line, click here.
Banza Mac and Cheese contains milk. If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, you can try out Banza Plant-Based Mac!
Our cheese products are manufactured in separate facilities from our pasta, some of which process other allergen-containing ingredients. For specific allergen information by product line, click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@eatbanza.com.
No, while our pasta is Kosher, our cheese is not.
Yes, the enzymes in our cheese are microbial.
No, Banza mac and cheese varieties contain dairy. If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, you can try out Banza Plant-Based mac!
Eighteen months from the date of production. Check the Best By date on the bottom of the box.
Banza Plant-Based Mac and Cheese Questions
Banza Plant-Based Mac is high-fiber, high-protein, lower carb, gluten-free, and vegan. For specific ingredients and nutrition info, click here!
The cheese powder in our Plant-Based mac and cheese is made from a sweet potato and pumpkin base, with nutritional yeast to create a better for you dairy-free cheese alternative.
Yes, our plant-based mac and cheese is gluten-free by FDA standards, and tested as such.
We note that Banza Plant-Based Mac and Cheese is manufactured in separate facilities, some of which also process gluten containing products. For specific allergen information by product line, click here.
Our plant-based mac are not made with ingredients that include "major food allergens" as defined by the FDA.
The plant-based cheese for our plant-based Mac and Cheese is produced and packaged at a separate facility from our pasta. Our pasta facility receives pre-packaged and sealed plant-based cheese pouches for insertion into our Banza plant-based Mac and Cheese boxes. The plant-based cheese is not manufactured or reworked at our pasta manufacturing facility, but simply repacked from case to box. We have a dedicated allergen storage area for plant-based cheese pouches and an allergen preventive control plan. For specific allergen information by product line, click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@eatbanza.com.
No, while our pasta is Kosher, our plant-based cheese is not.
Yes.
Twelve months from the date of production. Check the Best By date on the bottom of the box.
Banza Rice Questions
Follow package directions for best results. Cook as you would pasta, and use a fine mesh strainer. For cooking one bag (8 oz) of Banza Rice:
1. In a pot, bring 6 cups of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and add Banza.
3. Cook to desired firmness, stirring occasionally. Approx. 5-6 minutes. Expect some foam.
4. Drain using a fine mesh strainer and rinse with water.
5. Return to pot, fluff with fork, and enjoy! You can enjoy Banza Rice as you would regular rice or grains - as a side, in a burrito bowl, as a paella - you name it! Check out our recipe blog for more inspiration here.
At this time, the product is best prepared according to the instructions on the back of the bag. We do not recommend using a rice cooker to prepare Banza Rice.
Banza Rice and Banza Tri-Color Rice are both certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
We note that Banza Rice is packaged in a facility that also processes gluten containing products. For specific allergen information by product line, click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@eatbanza.com.
Yes, Banza Rice is Non-GMO Project Verified.
While our Rice is Non-GMO Project Verified, it's not certified organic. We invest in nutritious, premium ingredients, while staying true to our mission of making nutritious food accessible to more people. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure that their standards are in line with our brand values.
Yes, Banza Rice is certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union. Search Banza here to see our certifications for each type.
Yes.
Banza Rice is not made with ingredients that include "major food allergens" as defined by the FDA.
Banza Rice is packaged on equipment that also processes eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, wheat. For specific allergen information by product line, click here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@eatbanza.com.
Banza Rice is a different formulation than Banza pasta. We created Banza Rice to work best in rice dishes, and more closely mimic the texture of your favorite grains.
Online: If you're in the US, you can buy 6-packs directly from our website or from Amazon. You can purchase individual bags via Thrive Market, FreshDirect, or Target.com.
In Store: Banza Rice is available on shelves at Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Wegmans, and select Targets nationwide. Type your zip code into our store locator to confirm that we're available at your local store.