Oscar Mayer is one of the most popular and well-known brands of bacon in the United States Their bacon can be found in most grocery stores and is a staple breakfast food item for many households But with increasing concerns over processed meats and preservatives like nitrates, many consumers want to know – does Oscar Mayer bacon contain nitrates?
What are Nitrates and Why are They Used in Bacon?
Nitrates and nitrites are chemical preservatives commonly used in cured and processed meats like bacon, deli meats, sausages, and hot dogs. Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite help preserve the red/pink color of the meat and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause botulism. It gives bacon and other cured meats their characteristic salty, smoky, tangy flavor.
Before the 1900s, curing salt mixes contained saltpeter (potassium nitrate) which naturally broke down into nitrites. In the 1970s, health concerns over nitrosamines, cancer-causing compounds formed from nitrites, led the USDA to require bacon be cured with reduced levels of added nitrates/nitrites.
Today, the FDA limits sodium nitrite to 200 parts per million and sodium nitrate to 500 ppm in cured meat products. These low, regulated levels are considered safe, but concerns still remain over the possible link between nitrates/nitrites and cancer.
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon, Selects Uncured Bacon and “Natural” Bacon
Oscar Mayer offers several bacon options that contain no added nitrates/nitrites:
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Turkey bacon – Oscar Mayer turkey bacon is made from ground turkey and does not contain sodium nitrate or nitrite. It uses celery powder and salt to help cure and flavor the turkey.
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Selects Uncured Bacon – Oscar Mayer Selects Uncured Bacon is cured using celery juice powder, which naturally contains nitrates that convert to nitrites. No sodium nitrate or nitrite is added.
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“Natural” bacon – Oscar Mayer Natural Original Bacon contains no artificial preservatives, using celery juice powder and sea salt for curing.
These products fulfill consumer demand for “nitrate-free” bacon while still maintaining safety and the expected salty, smoky bacon taste. However, critics point out natural nitrates from vegetable sources like celery powder still end up forming nitrites.
Most Oscar Mayer Bacon Contains Nitrates/Nitrites
While Oscar Mayer does offer some nitrate/nitrite-free options, most of their traditional bacon contains sodium nitrite:
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Original bacon – Oscar Mayer Original Bacon, their top selling product, contains sodium nitrite.
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Hardwood smoked bacon – Oscar Mayer Hardwood Smoked Uncured Bacon contains both sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite.
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Applewood smoked bacon – Oscar Mayer Applewood Smoked Bacon contains sodium nitrite.
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Thick cut bacon – Oscar Mayer Thick Cut Bacon contains sodium nitrite.
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Turkey bacon – Oscar Mayer Original Turkey Bacon contains sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite.
Even bacon labeled “uncured” or “natural” may have nitrates/nitrites from natural sources like celery powder. Very few Oscar Mayer products are completely free of nitrates/nitrites.
Should You Be Concerned About Nitrates in Bacon?
The evidence on the health effects of nitrates and nitrites in cured meats is still unclear:
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Most health organizations consider the current regulated levels safe. The WHO says the “available data do not suggest an increased risk of cancer in humans from exposure to nitrate in drinking water”.
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However, some studies suggest a link between processed meat intake and increased colon cancer risk. Whether nitrates/nitrites specifically are to blame is still under investigation.
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Nitrites can form nitrosamines during high-heat cooking like frying bacon, but taking steps like avoiding charring, flipping often, and pre-boiling can reduce nitrosamine formation.
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Alternative curing agents like celery powder contain naturally occurring nitrates that still form nitrites. So “no added nitrates” doesn’t mean zero nitrates/nitrites.
Overall, enjoying bacon in moderation as part of a healthy diet is still considered safe by most health professionals. Those concerned can choose nitrate/nitrite-free options like turkey or “uncured” bacon, but these still contain naturally occurring nitrates from vegetable sources. As with any processed meat, it’s wise not to overindulge.
How to Choose the Healthiest Oscar Mayer Bacon
When browsing the Oscar Mayer bacon selection, here are some tips for choosing the healthiest options:
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Look for turkey bacon to avoid pork and sodium nitrate/nitrite.
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Choose bacon cured with celery juice powder or sea salt instead of sodium nitrite. This has naturally occurring nitrates.
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Opt for thin sliced bacon to reduce fat and calorie intake.
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Try center cut bacon which contains less saturated fat than regular sliced bacon.
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Consider the new Oscar Mayer “45% Less Fat” bacon which cuts a significant amount of fat.
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Avoid frequent charring or burning when cooking bacon to reduce nitrosamine formation.
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Prepare bacon on the stove or in the oven instead of frying for less fat.
With some savvy label reading and cooking adjustments, you can still enjoy the Oscar Mayer bacon you love in a healthier way. Moderation and variety remains key – don’t make every meal all about bacon!
Frequently Asked Questions About Nitrates in Oscar Mayer Bacon
Here are answers to some common questions consumers have about nitrates in Oscar Mayer bacon products:
Does Oscar Mayer original bacon have nitrates?
Yes, Oscar Mayer Original Bacon contains sodium nitrite, a nitrate-based meat curing agent.
Does Oscar Mayer turkey bacon have nitrates?
Most Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products contain sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite. However, Oscar Mayer Carving Board Oven Roasted Turkey Bacon is cured with celery juice powder and sea salt, not sodium nitrate/nitrite.
Is Oscar Mayer natural bacon nitrate free?
Oscar Mayer Natural Original Uncured Bacon is cured using celery juice powder and sea salt, not sodium nitrate/nitrite. However, it still contains nitrates that naturally occur in celery juice powder.
Is Oscar Mayer Selects bacon nitrate free?
Oscar Mayer Selects Uncured Bacon is cured with celery juice powder, not sodium nitrate/nitrite. But it still contains nitrates from the vegetable powder.
Does Oscar Mayer Thick Cut bacon have nitrates?
Yes, Oscar Mayer Thick Cut Bacon contains sodium nitrite in the curing process.
Does cooking bacon reduce nitrates?
No, neither frying nor baking will reduce existing nitrates/nitrites in bacon. Take steps like avoiding charring and pre-boiling to reduce nitrosamine formation.
The Bottom Line on Oscar Mayer Bacon and Nitrates
Most Oscar Mayer bacon contains sodium nitrite for curing, except for specially labeled turkey, uncured, and natural bacon lines. While recent research raises concerns about cancer links from nitrates/nitrites in processed meats, the FDA still considers sodium nitrite safe at approved levels. Those wishing to avoid nitrates can choose alternate curing methods like celery juice powder, but these contain naturally occurring nitrates anyway. In general, enjoying Oscar Mayer bacon in moderation as part of a varied diet remains the healthiest approach.
Jamestown Brand Sliced Bacon
Jamestown Brand makes meat products such as pork sausage and bacon, and they can be found at many grocery stores across the country. Even though your taste buds may feel good after eating these strips, you wont be happy to hear that this bacon is made with two troubling ingredients weve mentioned above: sodium nitrate and sodium phosphate. Instead of falling for this pesky sodium duo, look for bacon made without these preservatives.
Kunzler Black Forest Sliced Bacon
Kunzlers Black Forest Sliced Bacon has ingredients in it that seem not only unnecessary but also unhealthy, with additives such as gelatin, corn starch, and caramel coloring. Corn starch, which is a refined carbohydrate often used as a thickening agent, is known for being high in calories and carbohydrates, and low in vitamins and nutrients.
As we’ve already said, Kunzlers contains ingredients like sodium phosphate and sodium nitrite that might not be good for our health if we eat them often. This makes it a pretty bad choice for bacon.