Italian Sausage Pizza Topping: Italian Sausage

Italian sausage is a type of pork sausage that is typically seasoned with fennel or anise, along with other spices like garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes. It is made from ground pork, often with a percentage of fat, which is then mixed with the seasonings and can be formed into links or crumbles.

Manufacturers add Italian sausage to products primarily for its distinct savory flavor and protein content. It is a popular topping for pizzas, and is also commonly found in pasta dishes, sandwiches, and other deli items.

Italian sausage is a food ingredient, not a food additive, and is regulated by the FDA as a meat product. As a processed meat, it can be high in saturated fat and sodium; the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of daily calories, and the FDA Daily Value for sodium is 2,300 mg. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). JECFA and EFSA do not typically evaluate whole food ingredients like Italian sausage.