Who Owns DiGiorno?

DiGiorno is produced under Nestle's corporate sustainability framework. Nestle has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and has set interim targets for emissions reduction across its value chain.

Regenerative agriculture: DiGiorno has partnered with family-run wheat farms to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in its wheat supply chain. Nestle announced initiatives to bring regenerative agriculture practices to over 100,000 acres of farmland, nearly double the amount needed to grow the wheat used in DiGiorno pizza. These practices aim to improve soil health, reduce chemical inputs, and enhance biodiversity.

Packaging: DiGiorno faces sustainability challenges related to packaging waste, particularly plastic packaging for frozen pizzas. Nestle has committed to making 95% of its plastic packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. The company participates in the US Plastics Pact to develop more sustainable packaging solutions for frozen foods. However, frozen pizza packaging typically includes multiple layers of plastic and cardboard, making recycling challenging.

Climate action: DiGiorno manufacturing facilities participate in Nestle's climate action plan, which covers the product lifecycle from farm to consumer. Nestle's manufacturing facilities are increasingly powered by renewable energy sources. The company's regenerative agriculture partnerships for wheat also aim to reduce carbon emissions from farming.

Responsible sourcing: DiGiorno ingredients, including wheat, cheese, tomatoes, and toppings, are sourced through Nestle's supplier code of conduct. The company requires suppliers to meet environmental and social standards. Nestle's responsible sourcing framework covers human rights, environmental compliance, and animal welfare standards.

Food safety: DiGiorno maintains food safety and quality standards across its manufacturing facilities, operating under Nestle's global food safety protocols and FDA/USDA regulations. Following the 2021 recalls, Nestle implemented enhanced quality control protocols and testing procedures at DiGiorno manufacturing facilities.

Water and waste: DiGiorno manufacturing facilities participate in Nestle's water stewardship initiatives and waste reduction programs. Nestle has set goals for zero waste to landfill at its manufacturing facilities and implements water recycling systems in production processes.

Nestle's sustainability disclosures are at the corporate level and do not separately report environmental metrics specific to DiGiorno manufacturing. The company publishes an annual Creating Shared Value (CSV) report covering environmental, social, and governance performance.

DiGiorno has not received formal industry awards from independent organizations. The brand's recognition comes from market position and consumer preference data rather than award programs.

Market leadership: DiGiorno is consistently ranked as the #1 or #2 frozen pizza brand in the United States by dollar sales, according to Circana and IRI market research data. The brand has held a leading position in the frozen pizza category for over two decades.

Consumer preference: DiGiorno consistently ranks among the most popular frozen pizza brands in consumer surveys and retail data. Instacart data has identified DiGiorno as one of the top frozen pizza brands by shopping cart additions.

Rising crust innovation: DiGiorno's rising crust technology, introduced at the brand's founding in 1978, is recognized in the frozen food industry as a significant product innovation. The technology created a new subcategory within frozen pizza and has been widely imitated by competitors.

Detroit-style pizza launch: DiGiorno's launch of Detroit-style frozen pizza in July 2023 received attention in food media for bringing this regional pizza style to the national frozen food aisle.

Taste test recognition: DiGiorno products frequently receive positive reviews in taste tests conducted by food publications including Food and Wine, The Takeout, Mashed, and Sporked. The brand's various pizza styles have been recognized for delivering quality taste relative to other frozen pizza options.

Marketing recognition: DiGiorno's tagline "It's not delivery, it's DiGiorno" is recognized as one of the most effective and memorable advertising slogans in the US frozen food industry. The tagline has been in use since the 1990s and remains associated with the brand.

DiGiorno has been subject to two significant product recalls under Nestle's ownership, both occurring in 2021.

Plastic fragment contamination (May 2021): Nestle's Pizza Division announced a nationwide recall of four varieties of DiGiorno frozen pizza due to potential contamination with fragments of clear plastic. The recall was initiated after consumer complaints about plastic fragments in the products. The FDA announced the recall, which affected multiple DiGiorno pizza varieties including DiGiorno Rising Crust Four Cheese, DiGiorno Rising Crust Three Meat, DiGiorno Rising Crust Pepperoni, and DiGiorno Thin Crispy Crust Pepperoni. The recall raised concerns about quality control in Nestle's frozen food manufacturing process.

Undeclared soy allergen (September 2021): Nestle USA recalled approximately 27,872 pounds of DiGiorno Crispy Pan Crust pepperoni pizza due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product contained soy protein, a known allergen, which was not declared on the product label. The recall posed serious health risks to consumers with soy allergies. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall.

Quality control response: Following the 2021 recalls, Nestle implemented enhanced quality control protocols and testing procedures at DiGiorno manufacturing facilities. The company invested in improved detection systems and employee training to prevent future contamination incidents. The recalls led to increased scrutiny of Nestle's frozen food production facilities and supply chain.

Allergen labeling: The 2021 soy allergen recall highlighted challenges with accurate allergen labeling in complex food products with multiple ingredients. The incident emphasized the importance of comprehensive ingredient testing and transparent labeling practices for frozen pizzas, which typically contain numerous components from different suppliers.

Price gap and market share loss (2023-2024): While not a safety issue, DiGiorno faced a competitive challenge when Red Baron overtook it as the top-selling frozen pizza brand by dollar sales. Nestle acknowledged that the price gap between DiGiorno and Red Baron was a key factor in the share loss. The company responded by lowering prices and launching new products, which led to share recovery in 2025.

Frozen food category decline: Nestle's frozen food division, including DiGiorno, has faced category headwinds with negative or flat growth in US frozen foods. The company has acknowledged that frozen food is not currently a growth category, though it delivers strong profitability and cash flow. Nestle is evaluating its frozen food portfolio as part of a broader portfolio reshaping strategy under CEO Laurent Freixe.

Parent company controversies: While not directly related to DiGiorno, Nestle has faced various corporate controversies that affect the perception of all its brands. In January 2026, Nestle launched a global precautionary recall of infant formula due to the presence of cereulide, though this does not involve DiGiorno products. Nestle has also faced criticism over water usage, plastic pollution, and marketing of unhealthy foods, which are broader corporate issues rather than DiGiorno-specific controversies.