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Guido Barilla, chairman of the world’s leading pasta manufacturing company, recorded a video apology to help quell the firestorm that erupted after he made anti-gay comments earlier this week.

During an interview on Sept. 25, Barilla said he would not feature gay families in ads for his products because he likes the “traditional” family. If someone disagrees, they can go “eat another brand of pasta.”

He explained, “I would not do a commercial with a homosexual family, not for lack of respect toward homosexuals – who have the right to do whatever they want without disturbing others — but because I don’t agree with them, and I think we want to talk to traditional families.”

Barilla added, “I respect same-sex marriage because that concerns people who want to contract marriage, but I absolutely don’t respect adoptions in gay families, because that concerns a person who does not get to decide.”

The Chairman of the four generation family-owned business has since issued an apology on Twitter and recorded a video that was posted on Facebook.

He tweeted, “I apologize very much for having offended the sensibilities of many. I have the deepest respect for all the people without distinction.”

The video, posted on Barilla USA’s Facebook page, was a follow up to the Twitter statement. He now acknowledges, “I have heard the countless reactions around the world to my words, which has depressed and saddened me. It is clear that I have a lot to learn about the lively debate concerning the evolution of the family.”

“In the coming weeks, I pledge to meet representatives of the groups that best represent the evolution of the family, including those who have been offended by my words.”

Check out the 43-second video clip below:

Photos: Facebook-Barilla USA