The £17 million investment, which was backed by Invest Northern Ireland, will help build a factory in Downpatrick that will make the nitrite-free range. The 125 posts are expected to be allocated by 2022, with 30 already in place.
The business launched the nitrite-free Naked Bacon to the market in early 2018. Finnebrogue expects that sales of Naked Bacon will add £23m to its turnover by 2022.
CEO of Finnebrogue Artisan Denis Lynn said, “It has been known for decades that the nitrites used to cure meat can cause cancer.” That’s why, even though we make the best sausages in the UK, we wouldn’t make a single rasher of bacon until we found a better, safer way to do it. .
“Our goal is always to make food better, and we don’t follow the way things have always been done.” To make the pork taste better, stay pink, and last longer, we did a lot of research and found a way to use fruit and spice extracts. Users and retailers alike have been very happy with our Naked Bacon, which is made with this technology. ”.
Brian Dolaghan, executive director of Invest NI, explained the importance of this investment to the local economy.
“Finnebrogue’s breakthrough in making nitrite-free bacon has added to Northern Ireland’s reputation as a place that makes new, high-quality food.” Top food scientists have praised the product as a big step forward in food safety, and health-conscious shoppers have already bought it. .
“One of our top priorities is agri-food, and it’s great to see the new facility up and running and making this cutting-edge product.” Our support is ensuring Finnebrogue is able to capitalise on its innovation and realise growth. This great new food idea will also help the local economy. The 125 new jobs will bring in over £3 million a year in salaries, which is good for everyone. ”.
In January, Finnebrogue announced it was to open a £3m vegan and vegetarian food site in Co. Down.
Finnebrogue is a Northern Irish company that produces a variety of pork products including sausages burgers, bacon, and ham. Their bacon range, called “Naked Bacon”, has become quite popular in recent years as a nitrite-free alternative to traditional cured bacon. But is Finnebrogue’s bacon also free range?
An Overview of Finnebrogue
Finnebrogue was founded in 1985 by Denis Lynn and has grown into one of the largest artisan meat producers in the UK and Ireland. The company operates several production facilities and farms focused on making premium quality meats.
In addition to eliminating nitrites from their bacon, Finnebrogue emphasizes animal welfare and environmental sustainability. They source their pork from trusted suppliers and use free range eggs in their sausages. However, it’s unclear whether the pork itself is certified free range
The Launch of Nitrite-Free Bacon
In 2017, Finnebrogue introduced its new nitrite-free bacon range after developing a natural fruit and spice extract to replace nitrites for curing. Nitrites have been linked to cancer risks when eaten in processed meats like bacon.
Finnebrogue’s “Naked Bacon” hit UK supermarkets in early 2018, marking a major breakthrough as the first widely available uncured bacon that resembled and tasted like traditional bacon. It was stocked by major retailers like Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Tesco.
Finnebrogue’s Focus on Quality Ingredients
On its website and packaging, Finnebrogue emphasizes using high quality ingredients:
- Free range eggs in all sausages
- Farm assured pork
- No artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors
- Animals humanely raised without Growth Hormone drugs |
However, there is no specific “free range” label on their bacon products. Finnebrogue notes they source pork from “trusted suppliers” but does not confirm if it is pasture-raised.
Understanding Free Range Pork Standards
For pork to be certified free range, pigs must have access to outdoor spaces with vegetation. However, requirements vary by region. The Soil Association has one of the strictest standards in the UK. Pigs must be given access to pasture for at least half their life and have enough space to exhibit natural behaviors.
The UK and EU also have minimum standards for free range, though not as stringent. So free range labeling cannot guarantee humane conditions, but usually indicates better welfare than indoor systems.
Is Finnebrogue Bacon Pasture-Raised?
Based on current information from Finnebrogue’s website and public statements, their pork does not appear to be fully free range. The company stresses its focus on quality ingredients, but does not make any free range claims about their bacon.
Given the lack of labeling, it seems likely their pork is sourced from indoor systems. However, their standards may still exceed typical commodity pork in areas like space requirements, antibiotics use, and diet.
Without certification, it’s impossible to confirm if Finnebrogue’s pork is pasture-raised. But their bacon offers other advantages like no nitrites, clean ingredients, and partnerships with trusted suppliers. So customers have to evaluate priorities for themselves.
Why Finnebrogue May Not Be Free Range
There are several reasons why Finnebrogue may not use free range pork:
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Supply challenges – Sourcing enough pasture-raised pork to meet demand may be difficult. Free range production typically has lower yields.
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Costs – Free range pork costs more to produce, so that may be prohibitive for a large supplier like Finnebrogue. The bacon is already sold at premium prices.
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Consistency – With indoor systems, the company may have more control over factors like size, quality, and health of the animals. Outdoor systems introduce more variability.
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Regional definitions – “Free range” lacks universal standards, so they may feel claims could be misleading without formal certification.
The Bottom Line
While Finnebrogue emphasizes sustainable practices and appears committed to animal welfare, their bacon and other pork products do not seem to come from certified free range sources. The lack of specific labeling suggests their pork is conventionally raised indoors, though likely with higher standards than average commodity pork.
For consumers prioritizing pasture-raised meat, certified free range options are available, but may require seeking out specialty suppliers. Finnebrogue bacon offers natural uncured alternatives widely accessible at major retailers. So customers can decide what matters most to them. More transparency from Finnebrogue would be helpful, but their nitrite-free bacon has still emerged as a healthier choice for many.
Finnebrogue Naked Without Oink Vegan Plant Based Bacon Taste Test
Is Finnebrogue a meat-free brand?
Finnebrogue Introducing our delicious new Naked plant-based range… If you’ve been following our Naked brand for a while, you’ll know that we believe in producing gorgeous food that is good for you and for the planet. When we set about tackling the meat-free category, this was our top priority.
Are Finnebrogue sausages nitrite-free?
The brand has rolled out two new sausage recipes to support gut health – including a first-ever chicken sausage, its first-ever nitrite-free frankfurter and a thick-cut bacon steak. Finnebrogue ’s new Chicken, Garlic & Herb Chipolatas are made with British chicken and do not contain any artificial additives.
Does Finnebrogue have a nitrate-free Frankfurter?
The brand has launched two new sausage recipes to support gut health, its first ever nitrate-free frankfurter and a thick-cut bacon steak Finnebrogue has expanded its Naked range with four new products launched in October.
Are Finnebrogue chicken chipolatas gluten-free?
Finnebrogue Naked Chicken, Garlic & Herb Chipolatas are made with British chicken and do not contain any artificial additives. The Naked chicken chipolatas are high in protein and fibre, making them a tasty alternative for the more health-conscious family. They are also gluten-free, like all sausages produced by Finnebrogue.