DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza by DiGiorno DUMP — score 17/90.

The 'preservative-free crust' is a magician's trick — look at the crust while the pepperoni smuggles in BHA, BHT, and sodium nitrite on a base of mechanically separated chicken. Self-rising chemistry, sugared sauce, 20-plus ingredients. Not delivery, and definitely not from a kitchen.

Why this verdict

• Over 18 ingredients with a full NOVA 4 additive profile
• Pepperoni carries the classic processed-meat stack: sodium nitrite + BHA + BHT, built on mechanically separated chicken
• Hyper-palatable triad: sugar + soybean/corn oil + enriched wheat flour
• DATEM emulsifier and baking-soda rising chemistry — the famous crust is engineered, not proofed
• High sodium (~1.4g salt per 100g) across a very calorie-dense format

Ingredients (10)

• BHA (avoid) — Synthetic antioxidant preservative flagged by health agencies as a possible carcinogen.
• BHT (caution) — Synthetic antioxidant preservative added to protect freshness; a processing-signal additive.
• Sodium Nitrite (avoid) — The curing agent behind bacon's color and shelf life. Under high heat it forms nitrosamines; processed meat cured with it is a WHO Group 1 carcinogen.
• Mechanically Separated Chicken (avoid) — Pressure-recovered meat paste — the lowest-grade meat input allowed in the product.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Vegetable oil (soybean/corn) (moderate) — Refined oil completing the sugar-oil-starch triad
• datem (caution) — Industrial dough emulsifier used to engineer texture and rise.
• Enriched wheat flour (moderate) — Refined flour stripped of bran then fortified - the crust base.
• Natural Smoke Flavor (moderate) — Manufactures the mesquite note without any actual smoking.
• part-skim mozzarella cheese (safe) — Real cheese — the one claim that fully checks out

Healthier alternatives

• Pizza Margherita (Wood-Fired Crust)
• Mushroom & Black Truffle Flatbread with Mozzarella Cheese
• Wegmans Italian Classics Margherita Pizza, Wood-Fired Crust
• Cauliflower Gnocchi
• Meal Simple by H-E-B Cilantro Lime Chicken Bowl