Bannockburn's Barilla in hot water after chairman's comments

The popular Barilla pasta maker has apologized for comments about gays made by a top executive last week.

The company, which has its American headquarters in North suburban Bannockburn, acknowledged Chairman Guido Barilla's remarks in an Italian radio interview left some people “hurt or offended.”

“While we can't undo recent remarks, we can apologize,” a statement on the company's website reads.

A company spokesman couldn't be immediately reached Monday.

The controversial interview — in which Barilla said his company would never feature ads depicting gay families — triggered anger on social media and calls to boycott Barilla products.

Guido Barilla apologized for the remarks, acknowledging them as “insensitive.” People who call the company can hear an English-speaking woman read Barilla's apology in a recorded message.

After the controversy began, Barilla said he supports gay marriage but not adoption since it would be “complicated” for same-sex couples to raise children.

He also said traditional families have always been “identified” with the Barilla brand.

Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report.