Nitrate-Free and Full of Flavor: Does Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Have Nitrates?

For health-conscious bacon lovers, turkey bacon has become a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon Brands like Oscar Mayer offer turkey bacon products marketed as “uncured” or “no added nitrates or nitrites” But does this actually mean Oscar Mayer turkey bacon is completely nitrate-free? Let’s slice into the details and find out.

Why People Seek Out Nitrate-Free Bacon

First, it helps to understand why nitrates in bacon are a concern for some consumers.

Nitrates and nitrites are often used to cure processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and ham. Nitrates help keep food from going bad and causing botulism poisoning, but when cooked at high temperatures, they can turn into nitrosamines, which may be carcinogenic.

Nitrates are controlled by the government and thought to be safe at certain levels. However, shoppers who want to cut back on these preservatives still choose nitrate-free bacon.

How Oscar Mayer’s Turkey Bacon is Made

So how is Oscar Mayer turkey bacon made? According to their website, these are the main steps:

• Made from turkey thigh meat rather than pork.

• No added nitrates or nitrites during processing.

• Uncured and contains no artificial preservatives.

• Flavored with natural smoke.

With no added nitrates or nitrites, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon seems healthier at first glance. But here’s the catch…

Turkey Bacon Still Contains Natural Nitrates

While not added in purified form, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon still derives nitrates and nitrites naturally from:

• Celery powder – Added as a natural nitrate source.

• Celery juice concentrate – Also provides nitrate which converts to nitrite.

• Sea salt – Contains nitrites naturally.

So while no artificial sodium nitrate or nitrite is added during curing, natural nitrates are still present and used to prevent spoilage and encourage characteristic bacon flavor.

Perception of Natural vs Artificial Nitrates

Even though the end result is similar, some perceive natural nitrate sources as safer than artificial ones. Reasons for this perception include:

• Natural sources like celery and sea salt are viewed as more wholesome.

• Natural nitrates contain antioxidants that counteract some carcinogens formed during cooking.

• Converting natural nitrate to nitrite in the curing process helps control the amounts.

While natural sources may provide some advantages, experts still recommend eating all cured meats in moderation regardless of how they’re processed.

Other Health Benefits of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon

Beyond the lack of added nitrates, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon offers other benefits over pork varieties:

• 58% less fat and 57% less sodium than pork bacon.

• No added hormones.

• Made from turkey raised without antibiotics.

• Higher protein to fat ratio compared to pork.

So while not completely nitrate-free, turkey bacon can be part of a healthy diet when consumed responsibly.

The Takeaway on Nitrates in Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon

Oscar Mayer turkey bacon contains no added nitrates or nitrites during processing. However, natural nitrates from celery and sea salt are still present and used to cure the meat. The “uncured” label indicates no artificial sources are added.

While this may not make turkey bacon completely worry-free, it does help reduce overall nitrate intake compared to regular pork bacon. Combined with other healthy attributes like less fat and sodium, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon can be an appealing choice for those seeking a nitrate-reduced preservative-free option.

So the answer to whether Oscar Mayer turkey bacon contains nitrates is…yes, but only those coming from natural sources. And for some shoppers, that makes all the difference.