Our process
In July 2017 we launched Naturals, our line of charcuterie with 100% natural ingredients, in other words, free of added chemical nitrites. The only nitrites present were plant-based.
In July 2018 we completely eliminated the use of nitrites, even the plant-based ones. Naturals is produced without nitrites of any kind.
Since August 2018, we have been working to also eliminate nitrites from other lines of charcuterie.
Since May 2019 Snello, our line of deli meats with a low or reduced fat content, begins to be produced without nitrites, with the exception of the Bresaola Punta d’Anca and the Salame. The Naturals line comes to stores in France.
Since 2021 we keep on innovating our productive process throught nitrites' removal. So from now on, also Turkey and Chicken do not have them. Nitrite-free products are also marketed in the United States such as Salame Toscano and Salame with fennel seeds.
2022 - Today Snello Rovagnati repositions itself as a nitrite-free line (with the exception of the Bresaola Punta d'Anca, Shredded Chicken and Shredded Turkey, which do contain nitrites) with updated recipes. A new innovation comes in the form of a new package, which describes the line's great features while using less plastic. And a new product joins the lineup: our completely nitrite-free Chicken Mortadella.
Tomorrow we are working to eliminate nitrites entirely from the whole Snello Rovagnati line. Today, all the products in the line are nitrite-free, except the Bresaola Punta d'Anca, the Shredded Chicken, and the Shredded Turkey.
How did we do it?
Our will to innovate and respond to the different needs of our consumers has led us to develop a Rovagnati production process that does not require nitrites or other preservatives added, that have always been actively involved in cold cuts.
Our Naturals range and most of the products* of the Snello range contain natural derivatives that, in synergy with each other, guarantee the same safety of products treated with nitrites.
In 2024 40% of our sliced meats are nitrite-free, a commitment to innovative products that we offer our consumers not only in Italy but also in France and the United States.
*Snello products that do not contain nitrites are: GranCotto, GranCrudo, Roast Turkey Breast, Roast Chicken Breast and Chicken Mortadella.
Nitrates and nitrites, a closer look
Nitrites and nitrates are substances composed of nitrogen and oxygen, naturally occurring in nature.
They are contained, for example, in some vegetables and in drinking water.
What are they for?
Cooked charcuterie has always been preserved with nitrites (inorganic salts of nitrous acid), while cured meats have been preserved with both nitrites and nitrates, salts of nitric acid.
These two elements are "cousins" and over the centuries have made it possible to counteract the germination of Clostridium botulinum spores, which can be fatal.
Nitrite was used historically, even before the industrial era, for the preservation of charcuterie.
Furthermore, nitrite is the element that gives the typical pink color to meats.
The Naturals and Snello lines use natural derivatives that are totally free of nitrites and nitrates. In synergy with each other, they make it possible to obtain a product with the same safety guarantees as products treated with nitrites.
The natural and innovative Prosciutto. Our path of elimination of nitrites and nitrates
Cold cuts are part of our longest gastronomic traditions. Yet a prosciutto can also be innovative. This is the goal reached by Rovagnati with the Naturals line, that has no nitrites for the preservation of cooked prosciutto, mortadella and salami.
Read more about our innovative process
