Demystifying McDonald’s Bacon: A Close Look at the Pork Behind the Iconic Breakfast

Aside from the Golden Arches, nothing says McDonald’s quite like the sizzling strips of bacon in their breakfast sandwiches. Those perfectly crispy, salty slices are a key component of McDonald’s breakfast appeal. But have you ever wondered exactly what kind of bacon McDonald’s uses? Is it high-quality real bacon or some questionable imitation?

In this article, we’ll uncover the truth about McDonald’s famous bacon You may be surprised to learn just what goes into making this iconic menu item

The Two Types of Bacon at McDonald’s

McDonald’s uses two main types of bacon for their breakfast offerings

• Regular or standard bacon – This is made from pork belly, the fattiest, most flavorful cut of the pig. Pork belly bacon is what you likely think of as classic bacon. McDonald’s uses it in sandwiches like the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit.

• Canadian bacon – Also known as back bacon, this leaner cut comes from the pork loin. McDonald’s reserves Canadian bacon for their signature Egg McMuffin.

Both varieties are real, cured and smoked pork bacon, not artificial substitutes. McDonald’s states that they only use quality ingredients, and bacon is no exception.

Behind the Scenes: McDonald’s Pork Suppliers

McDonald’s obtains their pork products, including bacon, exclusively from U.S. livestock producers. Smithfield Foods was their exclusive supplier up until 2017.

After McDonald’s pledged to phase out gestation crates for breeding pigs by 2022, Smithfield failed to meet these more humane standards. McDonald’s then sought out new suppliers, like JBS USA and Clemens Food Group, willing to make these animal welfare changes.

While McDonald’s claims to source pork raised with better standards, some issues remain. The Humane League investigations found pigs in cramped conditions at facilities supplying McDonald’s. Still, the company aims to continue improving animal welfare across its pork supply chain.

The Curing Process for McDonald’s Bacon

Curing gives bacon its distinctive salty flavor, pink color and enhanced shelf life. McDonald’s bacon is cured using a process standardized across the pork industry:

• Brining – Pork bellies are submerged in a water, salt, sugar and nitrite mixture. This cures the meat and adds flavor.

• Smoke – Smoking infuses flavor while preserving and cooking the bacon. McDonald’s uses natural liquid smoke rather than traditional smoking methods.

• Slicing – The pork bacon is thinly sliced and packaged for shipping to McDonald’s restaurants.

The exact ingredients McDonald’s uses in their proprietary cure remain a trade secret. But their bacon likely contains some combination of water, salt, sugar, sodium nitrite, sodium phosphates, erythorbate, and “natural smoke flavor.”

The Great Bacon Controversy: Nitrites vs. Nitrates

There is an ongoing debate about the health effects of nitrites/nitrates used to cure meats like bacon. These preservatives give cured meats their characteristic taste, texture and pink color. But evidence suggests consuming them raises cancer risk.

However, avoiding nitrates/nitrites entirely poses safety issues, as these compounds inhibit harmful bacteria growth. Most bacon today uses nitrites derived from celery juice or Swiss chard, providing a “natural” source while fulfilling safety requirements.

McDonald’s has likely optimized their cure recipe over decades to balance flavor, safety and health. While not 100% risk-free, their bacon offers a delicious treat in moderation.

Nutrition Profile: How Healthy is McDonald’s Bacon?

Two slices of McDonald’s Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon contain:

• 70 calories
• 5g fat (2g saturated)
• 380mg sodium
• 1g carbs
• 6g protein

While not the worst breakfast option nutritionally, bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to 5-6% of total calories, and sodium to 1500mg per day.

Going easy on condiments like butter and salt can help reduce the sodium content when enjoying McDonald’s bacon. Overall, it’s fine as an occasional indulgence but shouldn’t be a daily habit.

Is McDonald’s Bacon Worth a Try?

McDonald’s may not offer artisanal or nitrate-free bacon options. But they pride themselves on consistent quality using common industry practices. Their bacon provides the satisfying crunch and smoky, salty flavor customers expect.

While some health concerns exist, McDonald’s bacon remains a cherished guilty pleasure for many. Moderation is key, but the enjoyably crispy strips can definitely be worth a try, especially when topping a favorite breakfast sandwich.

So next time you’re craving a classic fast food breakfast, fear not! McDonald’s iconic bacon may not be the healthiest, but quality and transparency drive their pork production. In reasonable amounts, it’s a tasty treat to savor.