Diced Pepperoni

Diced pepperoni is a popular type of spicy salami, typically made from cured pork and beef. It is seasoned with paprika or other chili pepper, giving it a characteristic red color and mild heat. The meat is fermented and air-dried, then cut into small pieces for use in various dishes.

Manufacturers add diced pepperoni primarily for its distinct savory, spicy flavor and chewy texture. It is a very common topping for pizzas and is also used in sandwiches, pasta dishes, and other savory baked goods like calzones and strombolis.

Pepperoni is a processed meat product. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as "carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence that consumption causes colorectal cancer. Pepperoni is also typically high in saturated fat and sodium. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025-2030) recommend limiting saturated fat intake to less than 10% of daily calories, and the FDA Daily Value for sodium is 2,300 mg. As a food ingredient, pepperoni itself does not have a specific regulatory status like GRAS or an approved food additive; JECFA and EFSA typically evaluate food additives or contaminants, not whole food ingredients like pepperoni.