In today’s clean-eating movement, consumers are increasingly wary of chemical preservatives and synthetic additives in their food. At Jill’s Sausages, we understand these concerns. That’s why all our products are thoughtfully developed to be free from artificial preservatives, yet still maintain a long shelf life—naturally.
Inspired by Traditional Preservation Methods
Long before modern preservatives existed, people used natural preservation techniques to keep food safe and delicious. Drying, fermenting, and pickling were common traditional methods, all aimed at making the environment less welcoming to harmful microbes that cause food to spoil.
These ancient methods inspired our own all-natural preservation approach. At Jill’s Sausages, we’ve developed a proprietary method that avoids synthetic chemicals and instead relies on natural ingredients and scientific food safety practices.
How It Works: Lowering pH Naturally
One of the key strategies we use is pH control. If you’ve looked at our ingredient list, you may have noticed we include vinegar. This isn’t just for flavour—its main purpose is to lower the pH of our sausage and ham products. A more acidic environment makes it difficult for bacteria to grow, which helps our products last longer naturally.
Don’t worry about taste, though—our recipe ensures the vinegar flavour is barely noticeable. In fact, most customers don’t even realise it’s there!
The Role of Polyphenols and Natural Flavour
Another important ingredient you’ll see listed is “natural flavour.” While we can’t give away our full recipe, we can share that a key component in this natural flavour is a group of plant-based compounds known as polyphenols.
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants found in green tea, dark chocolate, fruits, vegetables, and spices. When used in our products, they help protect against oxidation and support natural preservation by:
-
Extending shelf life
-
Supporting natural colour retention
-
Helping protect against spoilage-causing bacteria
This natural formula has been tested in the lab and shown to inhibit the growth of dangerous pathogens like Listeria, Salmonella, and Clostridium botulinum (botulism).
The Result: Safe, Long-Lasting Products Made Naturally
Thanks to these combined techniques, Jill’s Sausages can offer longer shelf life without using artificial preservatives, nitrates, or nitrites. Our sausages, hams, and other deli meats stay delicious and safe—all while staying true to our commitment to natural ingredients and clean-label eating.