For two years one of the New York area's most cherished pasta shapes was abruptly discontinued but now, suddenly, it's back just in time for cold and flu season. In January of 2023, a great darkness fell upon Italian families all over the New York area. Ronzoni announced that it was ceasing production of Pastina.

At the time, the pasta maker said that it "wasn't a decision (they) wanted to make", but they were forced to discontinue the product after being unable to secure a supplier that would produce the small, star-shaped pasta. As someone who was weaned on Pastina and butter, I was horrified.