Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mezzetta founded?

Mezzetta was founded in 1935 as a small storefront in San Francisco selling Mediterranean staples like olives and peppers. Giuseppe Mezzetta’s shop earned a reputation for top-quality goods, and that cherished family tradition has since been passed down across four generations. To read more about our history, click here.

Who is the owner of Mezzetta?

Mezzetta is a family company, still owned and operated by the Mezzetta family in Northern California. Jeff Mezzetta, the great-grandson of founder Giuseppe, started out sweeping floors at his family’s shop, and today he is the CEO and President.  

How is Mezzetta different than other brands?

In this day and age, most brands you see in the grocery store are owned by larger conglomerate companies. But Mezzetta is a reminder of a simpler time: Our family company has been passed down through four generations of Mezzettas.

As an independently owned and operated business, we are able to continue our family tradition the right way, using time-honored recipes and never cutting corners. Each jar has our personal seal of quality, and that’s the only way we’d put our name on it. 

Are you hiring?

Yes, we’re always looking for passionate people to join our team! Visit our Careers page to explore our current openings and submit your application. 

What products do you offer?

We’re best known for our olives and peppers, but there’s so much more to Mezzetta! We invite you to explore our wide array of offerings, like authentic pasta sauces, pickled vegetables, tasty marinades, unique hot sauces, and other specialties that make every meal better. What do they all have in common? Flavors that inspire us, the best ingredients the world has to offer, and a whole lot of love in every jar.

Where are your products made?

After selecting the finest ingredients from across the globe, we bring them home to our headquarters in Napa Valley, California. Our products are jarred onsite where we can ensure our exacting quality standards through every step of the process.

Where do you source your ingredients from?

Across the globe! We’ve tasted and tested ingredients from all around the world to find the very best to share with you. From Greek peperoncini to Italian tomatoes to home-grown California peppers, every Mezzetta product is a sensory experience with a one-of-a-kind story. Learn more about our sourcing here.

Are your jars recyclable?

Our jars, labels, and lids are 100% recyclable. Our sturdy glass jars are reusable as well! We apply our labels using water-soluble glue so they can be easily removed and ready for their next use.

Are Mezzetta products Vegan, Non- GMO or Certified Gluten Free?

Several of our products have been verified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project. Those products bear the Non-GMO Project seal on the front of the label. Shop our products that are verified Non-GMO here.

Are your products Vegan? 

Many of our products are naturally vegan. Some of them have been certified as vegan by a third-party organization and bear the Vegan Certification seal on the label.  Shop our products that are Vegan here.

Are your products gluten-free?

We offer many products that are certified as gluten-free by a third-party organization. Those product labels are marked with the Certified Gluten-Free seal. Shop our products that are gluten-free here.

What Mezzetta products are keto friendly?

Flavorful, Mediterranean-inspired foods can be an excellent addition to the ketogenic diet! Many of our olive and pepper products are naturally low-carb or no-carb, and we are proud to make authentic pasta sauces with zero added sugar. Because everyone’s diet needs are unique, we recommend looking at individual product labels to determine which products fit with your lifestyle. 

Is there any added sugar in Mezzetta products?

We never add sugar to our pasta sauces because fresh, ripe tomatoes are sweet enough! Many ingredients, like tomatoes, include naturally occurring sugars, so please check individual nutritional panels for more information.  

Are Mezzetta products allergen free?

We take allergies very seriously. Allergens can be processed on shared equipment, but we take special care to reduce the risk of cross contamination by scheduling our products containing allergens to be packaged after our products that are allergen-free. We also have a sanitation program in place that has been verified as effective in removing any allergen protein that may remain on the equipment after each product run. 

Please see below for information about some of the most common allergens. If you need additional information, our customer service team will be happy to assist you.

Peanuts: We do not process any peanuts or peanut products in our facility.

Eggs: We do not process any eggs in our facility.

Fish, shellfish: We do not process any fish or shellfish in our facility.

Gluten: We offer many products that are certified gluten-free. Please check individual labels for more information.

Dairy, sesame seeds, mustard: We do process some items with dairy, sesame seeds, and mustard ingredients. We have strict preventative measures in place in our facility to avoid cross contamination. Please check individual labels for more information.

Almonds and pine nuts: We do process some items with almonds and pine nuts. We have strict preventative measures in place in our facility to avoid cross contamination. Please check individual labels for more information.

What is the shelf life or your products, and how long do they last once opened?

Our products are best enjoyed fresh! The guaranteed shelf life of our products when unopened is 12 months. You can find the expiration date on the top of each jar. Once opened, we recommend consuming our products between 5 days and 3 months, depending on the product. We suggest using utensils, rather than your fingers, to remove the products from the jar in order to maintain freshness. Once opened, please keep product refrigerated at all times.


Please see below for more specific information.

- For our peppers that are in vinegar and our olive products, we recommend enjoying them within 3 months of opening to ensure the best quality.

- For our Italian Castelvetrano olives and our Sun Ripened Dried Tomatoes, we recommend enjoying them within 1 month to ensure the best quality.

- For our Roasted Red Bell Peppers, our Family Recipe Pasta Sauces, and our Artisan Ingredients Pasta and Pizza Sauces, we recommend enjoying them within 5-7 days of opening. You can also freeze any extra sauce to enjoy at a later date.

Why does the extra virgin olive oil in your products solidify at the top of the jars?

We use premium extra virgin olive oil in several of our products, like our Basil Pesto and Sun Ripened Dried Tomatoes. During colder months or following refrigeration, it is normal for the oil to solidify, creating a solid white substance in the jar. To soften the oil, simply set the jar on the counter at room temperature or put the capped jar in warm water. 

Why don’t I hear a pop when I twist the lid of my olives or peppers?

Don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear a strong “pop” when you open a jar. Not all products produce the same popping sound, but all of our jars are carefully packed, vacuum-sealed, and double-checked as part of our meticulous quality assurance process.

Very occasionally, the vacuum seal can weaken during shipping and handling which may result in leakage. If your product has leaked, please contact our customer service team for a replacement.

I have strict dietary restrictions. Do you offer any recipes that I can make?

We offer many delicious and simple recipe options to accommodate a range of dietary needs. Visit our recipe page and use the search bar to find recipes made with your dietary restriction or preference in mind. 

How do I find recipes for my dinner party?

You’ve come to the right place! Our “Entertaining” recipe category has everything you need to host an unforgettable gathering. Think: effortless appetizer boards for grazing, impressive mains for sharing, and festive martinis for toasting. Cheers! 

Can I adjust the serving size for your recipes?

Yes! Whether you’re cooking for one or hosting a crowd, you can scale up or scale down any recipe based on how many servings you need. Look for the serving conversion tool on each recipe page to help you adjust each recipe with ease. 

Do you offer any videos to show how to make your recipes?

We know that a picture is worth a thousand words, and a video is worth a million! Many of our recipes include instructional videos, and we’re adding more all the time. You can also visit our Instagram for more helpful videos featuring recipes, tips, wine pairings, and more. Search our full range of recipes here

I’m having problems placing an order. How can I buy your products?

We’re sorry to hear you are having difficulty placing an order! Please get in touch with us so we can help. To reach our order desk, please contact us online or call (707) 648-1050. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.

Where can I buy your products?

We are proud to share our family recipes across the U.S. and Canada! Our products are currently sold in many grocery, specialty and retail stores. Find a retailer near you using our store locator! You can also purchase Mezzetta products from many online retailers, including on our website here.

Do you ship internationally?

Unfortunately, we do not offer international shipping at this time. 

How long will it take my order to arrive?

All orders are shipped via UPS.

Orders generally leave our headquarters in California within 2-3 business days. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with your UPS tracking number once your products have shipped.

What is your return policy?

If you are not completely satisfied with your Mezzetta purchase, we want to make it right. Please reach out to our customer service team to help you.

We do not accept returns on products once they have been shipped. If you have any questions about our return policy, please don't hesitate to contact us. To reach our Order Desk, please send us a message here or call (707) 648-1050, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.

To contact our order desk, please contact us online or call us at (707) 648-1050, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.

My product arrived damaged. What do I do?

We are so sorry to hear that your order arrived damaged. Please contact us right away so we can assist you:

- By phone: (707) 648-1050. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.

- By visiting this page on our website: http://www.mezzetta.com/pages/contact-us 

Where can I find the tracking information for my order?

After placing your order, you should have received a confirmation email containing your tracking number. If you are having trouble locating it, please contact our customer service team and we will be happy to help!

- By phone: (707) 648-1050. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT.
- By visiting this page on our website: http://www.mezzetta.com/pages/contact-us

What are the hours of your customer service?

Our customer service team is here to help! Our hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time until 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. If you need support outside of those hours, we will get back to you as soon as we can. You can contact us here: 

- By phone: (707) 648-1050.
- By visiting this page on our website: http://www.mezzetta.com/pages/contact-us

Where can I locate the lot code and best by date for Mezzetta products?

You can find the lot code on Mezzetta products by checking on the top of the cap for a 11-digit number. Directly below this number, you'll find the product's best by date.

See an example of where to find this information here.

* For our Maraschino Cherries, this information is printed on the side of the lid.