Wright® Brand Natural Hickory Smoked Bacon Slices provide a hickory-smoked flavor to your buffet or center-of-plate entrée. This sliced bacon is easy to cook and goes well with hash browns, scrambled eggs, blueberry muffins, and other pastries. It will make your brunch buffet or takeout menu complete.
Crispy smoky bacon is a breakfast staple for many people. But concerns over nitrates in cured meats have caused some consumers to question traditional bacon brands. One popular bacon producer is Wright Brand. But is Wright bacon nitrate-free? Let’s take a closer look at how Wright bacon is made and the nitrate controversy surrounding cured meats.
An Overview of Wright Brand Bacon
Wright brand bacon is a widely available pre-cooked bacon produced by Tyson Foods. It comes in several varieties including hickory smoked, applewood smoked, thick-cut, and lower sodium options.
Wright bacon is marketed as having an authentic smokehouse flavor and consistent crispness. It’s sold pre-packaged in grocery stores, making it a convenient option for busy households However, many consumers want to know if Wright uses nitrates in their curing process
The Use of Nitrates in Cured Meats Like Bacon
Traditionally, processed meats like bacon are cured using nitrates or nitrites during production. Here’s a quick overview of why these ingredients are used
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Preservation – Nitrates inhibit the growth of dangerous bacteria like botulina and listeria. This gives cured meats a longer shelf life.
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Color – Nitrates interact with the meat’s proteins to give cured products their characteristic pink hue.
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Flavor – Nitrates influence the flavor profile of cured meats, giving them a distinct taste.
However, there are concerns about possible health risks from nitrosamines formed when nitrites are exposed to high heat. This has led some bacon manufacturers to find “nitrate-free” curing alternatives.
Wright Bacon Contains Nitrates in the Curing Process
After conducting research into their production methods, we found that Wright bacon is not nitrate-free. The ingredients label for Wright bacon lists “salt” and “sodium nitrite”.
Sodium nitrite is a curing agent added in conventional bacon processing. When sodium nitrite interacts with the meat, it forms sodium nitrate. So while Wright doesn’t add sodium nitrate directly, it transforms into nitrate during curing.
Wright has not switched to alternative “nitrate-free” processing methods like some other bacon brands have. They seem to be sticking with traditional sodium nitrite curing for preservation and flavor.
The Ongoing Controversy Around Nitrates in Bacon
The use of nitrates and nitrites in bacon has been controversial for years. Here’s a quick summary of the debate:
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Opponents – Some studies link nitrates to cancer. They want bacon cured without these additives.
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Proponents – Argue nitrates prevent food poisoning. Say amounts used are regulated as safe.
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“Nitrate-free” bacon – Uses natural sources like celery powder that still contain nitrates. But may be higher in nitrites than conventional bacon.
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No consensus – Leading health and food agencies still approve sodium nitrite curing overall, but concerns remain.
While the nitrate debate continues, consumers can vote with their dollars to support bacon brands that align with their preferences and priorities.
Finding Nitrate-Free Bacon Options
If you prefer to avoid nitrates in your bacon, there are some nitrate-free options available:
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Look for uncured/no nitrates labels – Brands like Applegate, Oscar Mayer, and Trader Joe’s offer these options.
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Check ingredients – Should list celery powder or juice, not sodium nitrite.
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Buy from local butchers/farmers – Can make nitrate-free bacon from scratch.
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Consider turkey or veggie bacon – Often cured without nitrates.
Just be aware that bacon cured with celery juice/powder still generates nitrites naturally. But levels may be lower than conventional sodium nitrite curing.
The Bottom Line on Wright Bacon and Nitrates
When it comes to Wright brand bacon, it is not nitrate-free. Wright relies on sodium nitrite in their curing process, which leads to formation of sodium nitrate. This delivers the classic bacon taste and texture many love.
However, concerns over possible health risks of nitrosamines continue. Consumers seeking nitrate-free options can look for “uncured” labels from other brands or specialty local producers. But be aware that “nitrate-free” bacon can still contain some nitrates from natural sources like celery powder.
More about this item
Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon Slices are made from fresh pork bellies that have been hand-selected and hand-trimmed. They are then naturally smoked over real hickory chips to give them a flavor that you can count on. Bring authentic smoky character to your menu with a product that is rich in flavor and tradition. Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon Slices give your customers the taste and quality they want while cutting down on work and prep time. Enjoy precise thickness from slice to slice for consistency across the menu.
- Naturally smoked with real hickory wood chips for a smoky flavor that is always clear and consistent. Always tastes great.
- Fresh, never-frozen pork bellies that are trimmed by hand provide consistent quality, texture, and appearance without adding extra work.
- Bulk sliced slab style allowing for compact storage.
- Sliced per inch makes sure that every slice is the same exact thickness, so cooking, performance, and customer satisfaction are all always the same.
- With up to 4 hours of hold time, you can get ready ahead of time instead of right then.
- Poly-lined frozen storage is an easy way to store things and makes them last longer.
CURED WITH: Water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.
Enjoy Your BACON! The Nitrate/Nitrite Cancer Scare Destroyed!
Where can I find nitrate-free Bacon?
1. Niman Ranch: This brand uses natural sources of nitrates, such as sea salt and celery powder, in their bacon. Their pork is also free from antibiotics and hormones. 2. Applegate Farms: Applegate Farms offers a variety of flavors of nitrate-free bacon, all made with celery powder as a natural source of nitrates.
What are the best nitrate-free Bacon brands?
If you’re looking for nitrate-free bacon, here are some top brands to consider: 1. Niman Ranch: This brand uses natural sources of nitrates, such as sea salt and celery powder, in their bacon. Their pork is also free from antibiotics and hormones. 2.
Is Bacon nitrite free?
Bacon and other cured meats with celery powder are not truly nitrite free, and should be avoided by those looking to buy nitrate free bacon and nitrite free bacon. This bacon is typically titled “uncured bacon” or “pure bacon” or “nitrate free bacon,” but they still contain nitrites.
Should you eat nitrate-free Bacon?
It’s important to note that while nitrate-free bacon may be a better option for some, it’s still a processed meat and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Nitrates and nitrites are commonly used in the production of bacon as preservatives and to enhance the flavor and color.