Which? has found that the nutritional content of bacon products varies significantly, particularly concerning salt and saturated fat. The consumer group's analysis of 57 pork bacon products, alongside plant and poultry alternatives, highlighted that all cooked pork bacons were high in salt.
Saturated fat levels in cooked pork bacon products ranged from 2.4g to 12.3g per 100g. One supermarket's luxury line was identified as having the highest salt levels among those reviewed, at 4.63g per 100g, indicating that premium prices do not guarantee a healthier option.
While plant and poultry alternatives also contain high salt levels, plant-based rashers significantly reduce saturated fat and offer comparable protein to traditional meat. Which? nutritionist Charlotte Phillips recommends plant-based options like THIS Isn't Bacon Rashers for heart health due to low saturated fat and no nitrites.
For pork bacon, Morrisons Nitrate Free Unsmoked Back Bacon was highlighted for balancing zero nitrates/nitrites with lower saturated fat (3.7g per 100g) and salt (3.3g per 100g). Mattessons Lightly Smoked Turkey Rashers were noted for their low saturated fat (0.1g per cooked rasher) and calorie count.
Consumers are advised to check whether nutritional information on packaging is provided for raw or cooked bacon, as values can change during cooking. Grilling or baking bacon on a wire rack and trimming visible fat can help reduce fat content.