FAQs
How can I purchase your products?
Mangia, Inc. sells primarily to industry distributors and manufacturers. We rely upon our distributor partners to provide Carmelina Brands products to foodservice operators and retailers. If we can help provide information for a local distributor, please contact us. For consumers interested in buying Carmelina Brands products, please visit the Where to Buy section for both online and traditional retailers.
What should I look for when comparing your products to others?
We feel that it is very important to compare ingredient and nutritional information when comparing canned products. All Carmelina Brands products feature no added preservatives and are low in sodium. Many canned competitive products have one or more of the following preservatives/additives:
- Citric Acid – Sour tasting preservative which enables the manufacturer to run production lines at greater speed.
- Calcium Chloride – Firming agent, which causes the preserved product to absorb and hold water. Many products with this additive tout the value of a greater drained weight. These numbers tend to be artificially inflated due to the product absorbing extra water. This is especially counterproductive in tomato products used for making sauce, which must then be cooked longer to reduce the water content. The increased cook time contributes to greater acidity in the sauce.
- Disodium EDTA – Chemical preservative added to canned beans to promote color retention. This is unnecessary, as properly cooked beans within code will retain their color.
- Basil – Often added to tomato products with citric acid as an ingredient. Basil can enhance or even mask the flavor of the tomato.
- High Sodium – Many canned products contain extremely high levels of salt. Those with dietary considerations as well as those looking to eat healthy should pay close attention to this line on the label.
What’s the difference between a San Marzano tomato and a Roma tomato (or any other variety)?
San Marzano tomatoes, also known as the Italian long tomato, are sweeter, less acidic, have a meatier pulp and fewer seeds than the average plum variety. They’re the preferred tomato when preparing authentic Italian dishes.
These tomatoes do not have the DOP seal! Are they really San Marzano tomatoes?
Many are confused by the term San Marzano. San Marzano is both a tomato variety and a growing locale (Protected Designation of Origin aka D.O.P.). According to the Ministry of Agriculture in Italy, there are 14 varieties of San Marzano Tomatoes, known for their elongated shape, sweet flavor and low acid content; ideal for making tomato-based recipes. Carmelina ‘e… San Marzano tomatoes are produced in the region of Campania and are of the San Marzano variety. We produce our Italian tomatoes without the DOP or Consorzio San Marzano stamps. By doing this, we can pass on the savings to our customers who are focused on the quality and consistency of the tomato, rather than a stamp on the label.
How can there be no preservatives in your ingredient statement?
Our products are pasteurized, or ”cooked” in the can, eliminating the need to add preservatives like citric acid, calcium chloride, salt, sugars, etc.
Who is Mangia, Inc.™?
Mangia, Inc. is a manufacturer and importer. With our co-packing partners, we manufacture Carmelina ‘e…San Marzano and Carmelina Brands products to our specifications in Italy and then import these products to North America and around the world.
Where are Carmelina Brands products stored?
Mangia, Inc. stores finished product in both Italy and our network of six warehouses located in key metropolitan markets across the United States. This allows us to best service our customers nationwide. A benefit to having multiple warehouses is to provide consistent pricing while keeping freight costs down.
Are your products Kosher?
Yes. Our complete line of Carmelina ‘e…San Marzano® Italian Tomatoes and Carmelina Brands® Italian Beans are certified 1K Kosher.
Are your products gluten-free?
Yes. Our complete product line is gluten-free, and contains no added preservatives. Simply tomatoes packed in tomato puree, and beans cooked in water.