Does Wright Bacon Have Nitrates? What You Need To Know

Bacon is a beloved breakfast food for many, but there are concerns about nitrates in bacon. Nitrates are commonly used to cure bacon, giving it that distinctive pink color and smoky flavor. However, there are health risks associated with consuming too many nitrates.

We’ll take a close look at Wright bacon in this article to see if it has nitrates We will also talk about why nitrates are used, the health risks, and whether there are better bacon options for people who want to avoid them.

An Overview of Wright Bacon

Wright bacon is a popular brand of bacon sold in grocery stores across the United States. It’s known for its crispy texture and wood smoked flavor.

Wright offers different varieties of bacon including smoked, thick-cut center cut and lower sodium options. The bacon is made from pork belly and advertised as having no artificial ingredients.

Wright’s website says that their bacon doesn’t have any MSG, phosphates, or extra hormones. However, the ingredient list does show that sodium nitrite is used.

Does Wright Bacon Contain Nitrates?

After closely examining the ingredients in Wright bacon, the answer is yes, it does contain nitrates.

Specifically, Wright bacon contains sodium nitrite which is a type of nitrate salt commonly used for curing meats. It is listed on their ingredient label.

While some bacon brands have removed nitrates and now use natural curing agents like celery powder, Wright has not made this change. Its conventional curing process still relies on sodium nitrite to preserve the bacon.

• Wright bacon does contain nitrates in the form of sodium nitrite
• It is not nitrate-free or uncured
• Wright has not switched to alternative curing methods for a nitrate-free bacon

Why Are Nitrates Added to Bacon?

Now that we know Wright bacon contains nitrates, you may be wondering why they are used in bacon in the first place

Nitrates have been used for centuries to cure and preserve meats like bacon, ham, salami and hot dogs. Here are the main reasons they are added:

• Preservatives – Nitrates help prevent bacteria growth and foodborne illnesses. They stop harmful bacteria like botulism and listeria from multiplying.

• Color – Nitrates react with the myoglobin in meat to give cured meats their characteristic pink color. Without nitrates, the meat would be brown.

• Flavor – Nitrates influence the flavor of cured meats, giving them a smoky, salty, savory taste.

For these reasons, the USDA regulates nitrate use and requires bacon to be treated with either sodium nitrite or celery powder. These ingredients keep bacon safe and give it the expected look and taste.

The Controversy Around Nitrates and Health Risks

While nitrates provide some benefits for preserving bacon, there are also health concerns about consuming them. Here are the main worries:

• Nitrosamines – Cooking nitrates at high heat causes them to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. These compounds are linked to cancer.

• Cardiovascular disease – Studies show eating processed meats with nitrates raises risk of heart disease.

• Colon cancer – Frequent consumption of cured meats is tied to higher rates of colorectal cancer.

Because of these risks, there are recommendations to limit your nitrate intake from processed meats.

Some scientists argue we don’t need nitrates in bacon at all. But so far, the USDA and FDA still consider sodium nitrite safe in regulated amounts.

The controversy continues as more research is needed on the long term effects of nitrates.

Understanding Different Bacon Labels

If you’re concerned about nitrates, it can be confusing figuring out which bacon brands are better choices. Let’s break down some common labeling terms:

• Cured – Cured with sodium nitrite. Contains nitrates.

• Uncured – Cured with celery powder instead of sodium nitrite. Still contains nitrates naturally found in celery.

• Nitrate-free – No nitrates or nitrites added. May still contain naturally occurring nitrates.

• Nitrite-free – No sodium nitrite added. Celery powder may be used.

• No nitrates or nitrites – No added nitrates or nitrites from any source. Safest choice.

As you can see, terms like “uncured” or “nitrate-free” don’t always mean zero nitrates are present. But they do signal less processed options with fewer artificial additives.

Healthier Bacon Choices With Less Nitrates

If you love bacon but want to limit your nitrate intake, here are some better options to look for:

• Organic bacon – Requires vegetarian-fed pigs with no antibiotics. May have slightly less nitrates.

• Uncured bacon – Cured with celery powder instead of artificial sodium nitrite.

• Turkey or chicken bacon – Much lower in nitrates than pork bacon.

• Prosciutto – Salt-cured Italian ham without added nitrates.

• Pork belly – Uncured fresh pork belly. Cook it yourself for homemade nitrate-free bacon.

When shopping, check the ingredients list and select nitrate-free or uncured bacon with no artificial preservatives. These have less nitrites while still offering delicious flavor.

Cooking Tips to Reduce Nitrates in Bacon

These cooking tips can further help to cut down on the nitrates in bacon:

• Cook bacon at lower temperatures. Frying at high heat increases nitrosamine formation.

• Microwave or bake bacon to reduce nitrosamine levels by up to 90% compared to frying.

• Don’t eat the bacon fat drippings, as this is where nitrosamines concentrate.

• Add antioxidant spices like cinnamon and turmeric to bacon as it cooks. This can lower nitrosamine amounts.

• Limit your portions and don’t eat bacon every day to reduce your overall nitrate intake.

The Bottom Line on Wright Bacon and Nitrates

In conclusion, Wright bacon does contain sodium nitrite, an artificial nitrate salt added during curing. Research shows eating processed meats with nitrates may raise risks for chronic illnesses.

If you’re concerned, choose alternative bacons cured with natural ingredients like celery powder or sea salt. Uncured and organic bacons have less nitrates while still offering wholesome pork flavor.

Cooking bacon properly and not over-consuming it can also mitigate potential health hazards. Following a healthy balanced diet with plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables is another way to counteract nitrosamines.

While the debate over the safety of nitrate use in bacon continues, being an informed shopper and choosing less processed options can help minimize the risks. Wright bacon may be tasty, but there are now better options for those looking to reduce nitrates in their breakfast.