Applegate Pepperoni FAQ

How and why are your 4 oz. re-sealable bags of pepperoni shelf stable now?

• Why: Portability. We decided to make our 4 oz. re-sealable bags of pepperoni shelf stable to meet the wants of those looking for a high-quality, snackable meat they can take on-the-go. 
• How: Have you ever been in a specialty Italian grocery store and seen the salami and sausages hanging from the ceiling? We’re using the same traditional dry-curing techniques to make these products. By adding salt and allowing it to dry to the desired moisture level, the pepperoni doesn’t require refrigeration to stay food safe. We’ve also added a bit of beef to the traditional pork pepperoni to help stabilize the product. 

Why did you add beef to your 4 oz. re-sealable bags of pork pepperoni?

• Beef’s fat content is more stable at room temperature, so adding that little bit of beef to our pork helps our pepperoni safely sit outside the refrigerated case. We also wanted to get back to old school ways where pepperoni traditionally included both pork and beef.

What are those little packs in the 4 oz. re-sealable pepperoni bags now?

• Those are called oxygen scavengers or oxygen absorbers. They are the standard, food- safe method used to control moisture levels in traditional jerky or cured meats. It helps limit mold and keeps the product fresh. It means we don’t have to use any sort of preservatives. Also, it’s 100 percent safe for the packet to come in contact with food.

Once I open a bag of pepperoni, does it need to be refrigerated?

• Yes! Once you have opened a bag of our Applegate Naturals® Pork & Beef Pepperoni or Applegate Naturals® Turkey Pepperoni, you must refrigerate. We recommend consuming within seven days of opening.

Why is the Nutritional Fact Panel so different, specifically with sodium and protein levels?

• There’s a few factors at play.  The recipes, ingredients, and even serving sizes have changed for our new Applegate Naturals® Pork & Beef Pepperoni and Applegate Naturals® Turkey Pepperoni.  In addition, Applegate is using a new testing methodology. The information on previous labels measured raw ingredients and didn’t take into account variables like cooking and processing. We now have access to better nutritional testing procedures that more closely reflects the final product in the package.

 Does that mean the old nutrition labels were wrong?

• We used the best information available to us at the time, which was based on a commonly-used recipe testing program. That program is still used by many food companies, but we decided to switch to a different method. The information on the new labels is based on testing of the final, cooked and processed product.

 Why does the pepperoni in your 4 oz. re-sealable bags taste different?

• Because it is different.  We tweaked the recipes by adding a bit of grass-fed beef in the Applegate Naturals® Pork & Beef Pepperoni and by using a leaner turkey in the Applegate Naturals® Turkey Pepperoni so it has even more protein than before. We’re also using a coarser grind for the meat and improved the spices used, which gives the pepperoni a more artisanal taste, in our humble opinion!

Where can I find your new shelf stable pepperoni?

• Some stores may choose to stock our Applegate Naturals® Pork & Beef Pepperoni and Applegate Naturals® Turkey Pepperoni in the refrigerated section, whereas some may choose to stock them outside of the refrigerated section in a display. Both are safe ways of storing unopened product, but we encourage you to ask an employee if you are unable to locate.