Kirkland Signature Bacon — TREAT

Munch or Dump rates Kirkland Signature Bacon by Kirkland Signature TREAT — score 45/90.

Real hickory-smoked pork with a short, standard cure: salt, sugar, phosphates, and sodium nitrite. The formula is clean for what it is, but this is still a cured, processed meat that is very high in saturated fat and sodium. Fine as an occasional treat, not a daily staple.

Why this verdict

• Short, standard cure: pork, salt, sugar, phosphates, nitrite
• Cured, processed meat containing sodium nitrite
• Very high in saturated fat and sodium
• Real hardwood-smoked pork with no artificial colors or flavors

Ingredients (7)

• Pork (moderate) — The meat base. A source of protein, but this cut is fatty and heavily salted once cured.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Sodium phosphates (caution) — Industrial phosphate salts used to plump and retain moisture in the meat; regular high intake is a cardiovascular and kidney concern.
• SODIUM ERYTHORBATE (moderate) — A cure accelerator that helps fix the pink color. Safe itself, but a marker of industrial curing.
• Sodium Nitrite (avoid) — The curing agent behind bacon's color and shelf life. Under high heat it forms nitrosamines; processed meat cured with it is a WHO Group 1 carcinogen.
• Natural hardwood smoke (safe) — Real smoke flavor rather than added liquid smoke.

Healthier alternatives

• Tofu nature bio
• EPIC Beef Sea Salt & Pepper Bar
• Chomps Original Turkey Sticks
• EPIC Bison Bacon Cranberry Bar
• Country Archer Original Grass-Fed Beef Jerky