Tag: Nitrates in bacon

The World Health Organization has classified processed meats, including bacon, as a Group 1 carcinogen, a category that also includes tobacco smoking. While that statistic is jarring, it doesn't mean you must banish this beloved food entirely, but it does make one question: is bacon healthy to eat?

According to the World Health Organization, processed meats like bacon are classified as carcinogenic, but that doesn't mean you can't make smarter choices. Navigating the options can be confusing, so is there any healthy bacon, and what should you look for to minimize health risks?

The World Health Organization classifies processed meats like bacon as a Group 1 carcinogen, prompting many to question its safety. While a breakfast staple, understanding if pork bacon is safe to eat depends heavily on proper preparation and moderation to avoid both immediate foodborne illnesses and long-term health concerns.

According to the World Health Organization, processed meats like bacon are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is strong evidence they cause cancer. This raises serious questions for many consumers: is smoked bacon a high risk food, not just from a cancer standpoint, but also concerning immediate food safety from bacteria?

According to laboratory tests, even bacon labeled "uncured" or "no nitrates added" contains nitrates and nitrites due to the use of natural curing agents like celery powder. This means virtually all bacon, regardless of its label, will contain these compounds.

According to the ingredients listed on multiple retailers and the Hormel website, most varieties of Hormel Black Label bacon are cured with sodium nitrite, a form of nitrate. While synthetic nitrates are used for curing, Hormel also offers a 'Natural Choice' line of uncured bacon that contains naturally occurring nitrates from celery powder.