Pepperoni Topping

Pepperoni topping is a spicy salami, traditionally made from cured pork and beef, seasoned with paprika or other chili pepper. It is finely ground and typically used as a pizza topping. Plant-based versions, made from ingredients like soy or pea protein, are also available.

Manufacturers add pepperoni topping primarily for its distinct savory and spicy flavor, as well as its chewy texture. It is most commonly found as a topping on pizzas, but can also be used in sandwiches, pasta dishes, and other savory baked goods.

Pepperoni is a food product, not a food additive, and is regulated as such by the FDA. Traditional pepperoni can be high in sodium and saturated fat. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat, which includes pepperoni, as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence that consumption causes colorectal cancer. JECFA and EFSA typically evaluate food additives and have not specifically evaluated pepperoni as an ingredient in this context.