F.lli Polli: innovation with the taste of tradition!

The brand founded in 1872 never ceases to surprise: Polli launches preservative-free Genovese pesto and a new range of plant-based products.

There is a common thread running through more than a century and a half of Italian history, made of basil harvested at dawn, jars that have crossed oceans, and a family that has transformed a Milanese shop into an industrial group present in 60 countries. That thread is called Polli, and today it is in the hands of Manuela Polli, the sixth generation of the family, founded in 1872 by Fausto Polli.

President of the Group and, since March 2026, also at the helm of the Group Vegetables in vinegar, brine, oil and differently preserved mushrooms of Unione Italiana Food, Manuela Polli embodies continuity. She is charting the course for a company that closed 2025 with 191 million euros in turnover, 78% of which was generated abroad, with great pride in outstanding Made in Italy products.

“Our 4 Cs – consistency, courage, cohesion and correctness – are the values we pass down from generation to generation, since 1872”, explains Manuela Polli. “In 2026 we will push even further outside our comfort zone, because innovation has always been in our DNA.”

Four production plants across Tuscany, Campania, Veneto and Spain, more than 410 employees, and CSQA-certified supply chains for Italian basil, mushrooms and peppers: Polli is a company that made the quality of its raw materials and supply-chain sustainability its competitive advantage long before they became trends.

Preservative-free pesto: a promise kept

The most eagerly awaited innovation comes precisely from the product on which Polli has placed its biggest bet: Preservative-free Genovese Pesto.

“A new recipe born directly from a consumer request,” explains Maria Giordano, CMO of the Polli Group. “It all began with a market study and an analysis of pesto consumption habits, carried out in collaboration with NielsenIQ. We found that around 65% of purchases are impulse-driven and that many decisions are made in-store, in front of the shelf. The factors guiding consumer choices are related to convenience, such as pack size and shelf life, but also, and above all, to quality. This is where our new recipe comes from: preservative-free and made with the finest raw materials.”

Such as our basil: 100% Italian, harvested and processed fresh within 24 hours, CSQA-certified – ISO22005 cert. no. 71049 – DTP035 cert. no. 71050. The strictly Italian, carefully selected cheeses, extra virgin olive oil and pine nuts. For an even tastier and more authentic flavour.”

It is not only the recipe that is changing: the iconic 90gx2 format comes in more sustainable packaging, with 25% less CO₂ emissions than the previous version, thanks to glass made with recycled material produced in Italy and new low-emission lids. Authentic taste, a transparent supply chain and a reduced environmental footprint: three promises in a single jar.

The figures tell the story of a rapid rise: having entered the pesto market in 2020, the Polli brand is now the fifth-largest by market share in the segment, with the highest growth rate among all players, and aims to become the fourth brand in the market by the end of 2026 (Nielsen IQ data, December 2025).

The launch of the preservative-free pesto was presented at Tuttofood 2026 – the international food and agriculture trade fair held in Milan from11 to 14 May.

Innovation never stops

“Preservative-free pesto is just the jewel in the crown,” continues Maria Giordano, CMO of the Polli Group, “of a range of innovations that Polli has developed with method and vision.” The new Zero Fat range brings artichokes, mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes in jars without oil, added sugar, flavourings or maltodextrins: vegetables in their purest form, naturally rich in fibre and protein.

Also arriving is a Basil Concentrate in a tube, an absolute first on the Italian market: basil 100% Italian, ready to use and as good as fresh, yet capable of being stored in the refrigerator for up to four weeks. Plant-based and gluten-free, it is ideal for adding flavour to soups, sauces, fish and meat. A food-waste-reducing product that brings the fragrance of summer to the pantry all year round.

Among the most original innovations is the Chickpea Vegetable Mayonnaise, organic and 100% plant-based: the first chickpea-based mayonnaise on the Italian market, egg-free and gluten-free, with 25% pure chickpea and the lowest fat content compared with the main competitors on the Italian market. The result of carefully selected organic ingredients – and the absence of soya – it is an authentic alternative, not only for those following a plant-based diet. It goes well with sandwiches, salads, burgers and much more, bringing mayonnaise back to the table for those who thought they would have to give up this pleasure.

An excellence also recognised by partners

As confirmation of the Group’s production strength, in 2025 Polli received the "Best Copacker 2025", awarded by international partners to companies that stand out for their quality, reliability and ability to meet private-label requirements worldwide. The award demonstrates that Polli’s excellence is expressed not only through its own brands, but also through the service the company provides to its customers around the world.

Polli’s is an Italian story that continues to be written, generation after generation, jar after jar. With the same care as always, and a desire for the future that knows no preservatives.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.