A recent analysis by Which? has identified specific supermarket bacon products as the unhealthiest due to their high levels of salt and saturated fat. The consumer organization examined 28 pork bacon products, alongside six plant-based and poultry options, focusing on salt, saturated fat, and the presence of nitrites and nitrates.
Finnebrogue Naked Unsmoked Streaky Bacon was found to have the highest saturated fat content, with 12.3g per serving. This product is followed by Morrisons Smoked Back Bacon (8.9g), Lidl Unsmoked Rindless Streaky Bacon (8.8g), and Sainsbury's Unsmoked Back Bacon (8.8g). According to Which?, high saturated fat intake can raise LDL cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease. Official guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat intake to 20g for women and 30g for men daily, with levels exceeding 5g per 100g considered high.
Morrisons The Best Extra Thick Cut Unsmoked Back Bacon was identified as the saltiest product, containing 4.63g of salt. This product contains nearly 50% more salt than the average of 3.11g for cooked bacon. Other high-salt options include Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Unsmoked Air Dried Wiltshire Cured Back (4g), Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Unsmoked Air Dried Streaky Bacon (3.95g), and Stamford Street Co. Unsmoked Back Bacon (3.93g). Two rashers of the saltiest bacon can account for over 40% of the recommended daily salt intake of 6g.
Conversely, Morrisons Lean Unsmoked Bacon Medallions contained the least saturated fat at 2.4g per serving. Aldi Smoked British Sweetcure Back Bacon was found to be the least salty option, with 1.63g.
Regarding nitrites and nitrates, Which? noted that while nitrates are naturally occurring, when added to meat and cooked at high temperatures, they can form harmful nitrosamines. Of the 28 products tested, only seven were nitrite-free. These included several Finnebrogue Naked products and Morrisons Nitrate Free Unsmoked Back Bacon.
Morrisons Nitrate Free Unsmoked Back Bacon was named the healthiest overall pork choice by Which?, praised for its balance of low nitrates/nitrites, moderate saturated fat (3.7g per 100g), and lower salt levels (3.3g per 100g) compared to competitors.
The plant-based option THIS Isn't Bacon Rashers 100 per cent Plant-Based was highlighted as the best plant-based choice and the top recommendation overall, with negligible saturated fat (0.1g per 100g) and lower salt content than many meat options.
For poultry, Mattessons Lightly Smoked Turkey Rashers were recommended for their low calorie and saturated fat content, with approximately 0.1g of saturated fat per cooked rasher. Which? advised consumers to check labels to make informed choices about the nutritional content of bacon products.