Cooked Andouille Sausage

Andouille sausage is a smoked sausage, typically made from pork, seasoned with spices such as garlic, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. It is cooked before being incorporated into packaged foods. The smoking process gives it a distinct flavor and helps preserve the meat.

Manufacturers add cooked andouille sausage to products primarily for its distinctive spicy flavor and protein content. It is commonly found in savory dishes like canned soups, frozen dinners, and chili and stews, where it contributes to the overall taste and texture.

Cooked Andouille sausage is a food product, not a food additive, and is regulated by the FDA as a meat product. Like many processed meats, it can be high in sodium and saturated fat. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025-2030) advise keeping saturated fat intake to less than 10% of daily calories, and the FDA's Daily Value for sodium is 2,300 mg. JECFA and EFSA typically evaluate food additives, not whole food ingredients like sausage.