Is Honey Baked Ham a Processed Food?

December 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, any meat that is preserved by salting, curing, or smoking is considered processed meat. Based on this definition, the popular holiday staple honey baked ham is indeed a processed food, and in fact, falls into the category of ultra-processed due to its intensive preparation and long list of added ingredients.

Quick Summary

Honey baked ham is a processed food because its production involves curing and smoking, and it is considered ultra-processed due to its numerous additives. The intensive processing includes curing with salt and chemical preservatives, smoking, and applying a glaze made with artificial ingredients. This changes the meat's original state, flavor, and shelf life.

Key Points

Categorization: Honey baked ham is a processed food due to curing and smoking, and it is specifically categorized as ultra-processed because of its extensive list of industrial additives.
Additives and Preservatives: The production relies on chemical preservatives like sodium nitrate and sodium phosphate, which extend shelf life and enhance texture but are also linked to potential health concerns.
Artificial Glaze: The signature crunchy glaze on commercial versions often uses a combination of sugars, corn syrup, and artificial flavorings, not just honey, adding to its ultra-processed status.
Health Concerns: Due to its high sodium content and use of certain additives, honey baked ham and other processed meats are classified as carcinogens by health organizations, raising concerns about cancer and heart disease risks.
Homemade Alternatives: A homemade honey-glazed ham made with natural, uncured ham and simple, natural ingredients provides a healthier, less-processed alternative.

Understanding the Levels of Food Processing

To determine if honey baked ham is a processed food, it's essential to understand the different levels of food processing. According to the NOVA classification system, there are four categories of food processing, ranging from unprocessed to ultra-processed.

Group 1: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods. This category includes whole, natural foods that have been minimally altered, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and raw meats. The alterations might include simple cleaning, trimming, or freezing.
Group 2: Processed culinary ingredients. These are derived from Group 1 foods and include items like vegetable oils, sugar, and salt. They are not meant to be eaten alone but are used in food preparation.
Group 3: Processed foods. These are relatively simple products made by adding salt, sugar, or other culinary ingredients to Group 1 foods. Examples include some canned vegetables, cheese, and freshly baked bread.
Group 4: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This category includes industrial formulations typically made from many ingredients, including food additives, flavorings, and preservatives. These are designed to be convenient, palatable, and have a long shelf life. This is the category where most commercially produced honey baked hams fall.

The Curing and Glazing of Honey Baked Ham

So, what about honey baked ham makes it fall into the processed and ultra-processed categories? The process involves more than just baking a ham. It begins with the curing process, a method of preserving meat with salt and other additives. This is then followed by a long smoking process and finally, the application of the famous sugary, caramelized glaze.

The Curing Process

Commercial ham, including honey baked ham, is typically cured using a brine solution containing water, salt, and various chemical preservatives. These additives are essential for preservation, texture, and flavor enhancement. Ingredients often include:

Sodium nitrate/nitrite: A common curing agent used to prevent bacterial growth and maintain the ham's pink color. However, these have been associated with health concerns, including an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
Sodium phosphate: Used to help the ham retain moisture and maintain a tender texture.
Sodium lactate/diacetate: Preservatives used to control microbial growth and extend the product's shelf life.

The Glazing Process

While the name suggests a simple honey-based topping, the commercial glaze is often more complex. Instead of just pure honey, it typically includes:

Sugars: Including sucrose and/or corn syrup.
Flavorings: Artificial flavorings are often used to replicate a honey-like taste.
Thickeners and stabilizers: Ingredients like modified food starch and maltodextrin are used to give the glaze its desired consistency.

The final product, with its long list of ingredients and extensive processing, is a prime example of an ultra-processed food.

Honey Baked Ham vs. Traditional Baked Ham: A Comparison

The difference between a commercial honey baked ham and a traditional, homemade baked ham lies in the ingredients and preparation.


Feature	Commercial Honey Baked Ham	Traditional Homemade Baked Ham
Ingredients	Long list of ingredients, including sodium nitrates, phosphates, artificial flavorings, and high fructose corn syrup.	Simple ingredients: Pork, seasonings (salt, pepper), and a natural glaze using real honey, brown sugar, and spices.
Preparation	Involves industrial-level curing, smoking, and machine-assisted spiral-slicing and glazing.	Involves baking a raw ham and applying a homemade glaze. Curing is often simpler or uses all-natural methods.
Additives	Uses chemical preservatives and additives to enhance flavor, color, and shelf life.	Typically free of artificial preservatives, focusing on natural flavor enhancement.
Flavor	A very specific, intensely sweet, and crunchy caramelized glaze.	A more natural flavor profile, with sweetness and spices determined by the cook.
Health Impact	High in sodium and added sugars; linked to potential health risks associated with processed meat consumption.	Lower in sodium and sugars, with fewer additives, making it a healthier option.

The Health Implications of Processed Ham

Health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, with strong links to colorectal cancer. While Honey Baked Ham is delicious, its high sodium content and use of nitrates and nitrites are significant health considerations.

High Sodium Content

The curing process is a major contributor to ham's high sodium level. Excessive sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease. A single serving of commercial ham can contain a significant portion of a person's recommended daily sodium intake.

Additives and Preservatives

The various additives and preservatives used in ultra-processed ham are a cause for concern. For example, sodium nitrates can form nitrosamines when cooked at high temperatures, which are carcinogenic compounds. While the amount of these additives is regulated, excessive consumption over time can pose a health risk.

Conclusion: A Delicious Indulgence with a Catch

In conclusion, while many people associate "processed food" with things like instant ramen or microwave dinners, the term's definition is much broader. Because it undergoes significant alteration from its original state, including curing, smoking, and the addition of multiple non-natural ingredients for preservation and flavor, honey baked ham is undeniably a processed food. Specifically, the intensive industrial preparation and additive-laden glaze qualify it as ultra-processed. While a delicious holiday favorite, it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, and consumers should be aware of the health implications associated with its high sodium content and artificial additives.

If you're looking for a less-processed option, consider making a homemade honey-glazed ham from an uncured, organic ham. This allows you to control the ingredients and avoid many of the preservatives found in commercial products.

Frequently Asked Questions

A processed food is any food that has been altered from its original state through methods like freezing, cooking, canning, or adding ingredients like salt or preservatives. The level of processing can range from minimal (e.g., washed spinach) to ultra-processed (e.g., packaged snacks, hot dogs).

Honey baked ham is considered ultra-processed because it uses industrial ingredients and methods to enhance and preserve the product. This includes a curing brine with multiple chemical additives and a glaze made from artificial flavorings and various types of sugars.

Yes, by definition, all commercially available hams are processed meat because they undergo a curing or smoking process to preserve them. The key difference lies in the extent of processing and the types of additives used, which can range from simpler, natural processes to more intensive industrial methods.

The glaze on commercial honey baked hams is often not made with real honey alone. According to ingredient lists, it typically contains a mix of sugars, including corn syrup, and artificial flavorings to achieve its signature sweet, crunchy taste.

The primary health risks of honey baked ham relate to its classification as a processed meat. This includes high sodium content, which can contribute to high blood pressure, and the use of nitrates and nitrites, which are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer.

To make a less-processed honey ham at home, start with an uncured ham. Create your own simple glaze using real honey, brown sugar, and spices instead of relying on commercial glazes with artificial ingredients. This allows you to control the sodium and sugar content.

Processed meats have a bad reputation primarily due to health risks associated with their consumption. The additives used, especially nitrates, and the high levels of salt and fat have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer by several major health organizations.