Banza Launches the First No Compromises Wheat Protein Pasta, Powered by Chickpeas

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 1, 2026--

Banza, the company that introduced chickpea pasta to the U.S. market, is launching Wheat Protein Pasta and Wheat Protein Mac & Cheese. Combining semolina wheat with chickpeas, the new line delivers 22g of protein per serving without compromising on the taste and texture of traditional pasta. The launch marks Banza's first expansion beyond gluten-free.

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Banza Wheat Protein Pasta offers 22g of protein and 7g of fiber per serving, is made from simple ingredients, and is available in Rotini, Penne, and Elbow shapes. Banza Wheat Protein Mac & Cheese is available in Cheddar Elbows and White Cheddar Shells and delivers 16g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving.

Like all Banza Pasta, both Wheat products are CleanScan Certified by The Detox Project, meaning they were tested for glyphosate and 400+ pesticides and showed non-detectable results.

Since launching the first-ever chickpea pasta in 2014, Banza has grown into the #1 better-for-you pasta company. The introduction of a wheat-based line marks a deliberate next step in its mission to inspire people to eat more chickpeas by meeting consumers where they already are: in the wheat pasta aisle.

"We started Banza to inspire people to eat more chickpeas, and this launch is about finding new ways to do exactly that," said Brian Rudolph, CEO and co-founder of Banza. "There are millions of consumers who want better nutrition but aren't willing to compromise on the taste and texture of wheat pasta. This product is for them."

Rudolph also addressed Banza's gluten-free community directly: "I'm gluten-free myself, so I understand the importance of trust when it comes to what's on the label. Our new wheat products are produced in a dedicated, separate facility from our gluten-free lines, and our commitment to delivering the best, safest gluten-free pasta remains at the core of what we do."

Banza Wheat Protein Pasta and Wheat Mac & Cheese are available exclusively on TikTok Shop starting April 1 and will roll out nationwide at Kroger, Publix, Sprouts, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market starting in April. Visit Banza's store locator to find the new products near you.

Banza's Wheat Protein Pasta is produced in a separate facility than its Chickpea Pasta and Brown Rice Pasta, which are both certified gluten-free.

About Banza

Banza makes beloved foods more nutritious with chickpeas. Since 2014, Banza has been on a mission to inspire people to eat more chickpeas and other beans because of their positive impact on human and environmental health. It all started when Banza introduced the first-ever chickpea pasta and paved the way for the better-for-you category. Today, you can find Banza's pasta, pizza, mac & cheese, and waffles in over 26,000 stores nationwide and online.

Banza is among the first companies to earn The Detox Project’s CleanScan certification, an industry-leading certification that verifies Banza’s products were tested by an accredited third-party lab for glyphosate and more than 400 pesticides and showed non-detectable levels. By scanning the CleanScan QR code on Banza’s packaging or visiting this link, consumers can instantly access comprehensive test results, giving them greater transparency into what is and isn’t in their food.

For more information, head over to eatbanza.com or find us on Instagram and TikTok at @eatbanza.

Banza Wheat Pasta and Wheat Mac & Cheese contain wheat and gluten. Certifiedgluten-free Banza products remain available.

Banza Wheat Protein Mac & Cheese delivers 16g of protein and 4g of fiber per serving and is available in Cheddar Elbows and White Cheddar Shells.

Banza Wheat Protein Pasta offers 22g of protein and 7g of fiber per serving and is available in Rotini, Penne, and Elbow shapes.

Banza, the company that introduced chickpea pasta to the U.S. market, is launching Wheat Protein Pasta and Wheat Protein Mac & Cheese. Combining semolina wheat with chickpeas, the new line delivers 22g of protein per serving without compromising on the taste and texture of traditional pasta. Like all Banza Pasta, the new Wheat Protein line is CleanScan Certified by The Detox Project which verifies they tested for glyphosate and 400+ pesticides and showed non-detectable results. Banza Wheat Protein Pasta and Wheat Mac & Cheese are available exclusively on TikTok Shop starting April 1 and will roll out nationwide at Kroger, Publix, Sprouts, Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market starting in April.

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was only a matter of time before Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood hit a grand slam.

But an inside-the-park shot, like the one Wood smashed in Tuesday’s 9-6 victory over the New York Mets?

“I didn’t think it would be like this,” Wood said. “That was a fun way to get it.”

Down 5-0, the Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning against Mets starter Nolan McLean. Wood hit a first-pitch sweeper to the opposite field, where it glanced off the leaping Nick Morabito’s arm and bounded into center.

“When I saw that, I kind of just knew it was a full-on sprint home,” the 23-year-old Wood said of his 53rd career home run. “That’s probably why my eyes got big.”

Center fielder Tyrone Taylor braced himself before running into the wall before looking at Morabito, who pointed to the carom before giving chase himself.

“He lost track of the baseball,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He went after and then he didn’t know where the ball was. That’s a tough break there.”

Wood scampered around the bases in 15.15 seconds and slid headfirst across the plate well ahead of the throw for his first career grand slam and 13th homer of the season.

It was the ninth inside-the-park grand slam in the majors since 1994. The previous one was hit by Toronto’s Raimel Tapia on July 22, 2022.

“When they get over the fence, obviously I think James enjoys that more so he doesn’t have to run as hard or as far,” first-year Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “But that was pretty cool. I think everyone was pretty fired up, talking some smack that he can’t hit it over the fence.”

The Nationals have two inside-the-park grand slams since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005. Michael A. Taylor hit the other Sept. 8, 2017, at home against Philadelphia.

Three of the four inside-the-park grand slams this century were hit at Nationals Park. Philadelphia’s Aaron Altherr connected for one at Washington on Sept. 25, 2015.

Now, Wood has joined that small club.

“It’s probably the biggest smile I’ve seen on his face since I’ve gotten to know him,” Butera said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) watches Washington Nationals' James Wood head home on a inside-the-park grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' James Wood hits an inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' James Wood slides into home as New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens waits for the throw on an inside the park gland slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)