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, the line of cured meats with reduced fat content, has also been produced without nitrites with the exception of bresaola e salami. The completely nitrite-free Naturals line is also starting to be sold 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 nitrites-free line with renewed recipes, including the introduction of nitrites-free GranSalame. Beside of product innovations, the new pack describes the plus of the range and highlights a reduction in the use of plastic. The line is also enriched with a new reference, the Chicken Mortadella, also totally free of nitrites.
Tomorrow We are working to eliminate nitrites on the entire Snello Rovagnati line, including Gastronomy products.
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.
Today, 40 per cent of our sliced meats are nitrite-free, which is one of the ways in which we design a better, healthier and fairer future. A commitment to innovative products that we offer our consumers not only in Italy but also in France and the United States.
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
