Sliced bacon
Great Value Thick Sliced Bacon
1 lb
Score
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
Why it scores 59
Great Value Thick Sliced Bacon scores 59 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sodium nitrite: IARC classifies ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as Group 2A; it classifies processed meat as Group 1. Regulatory
- minus 9 points Salt 4.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 8 points Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better bacon
-
No Sugar Uncured Turkey Bacon Applegate · 12 oz Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 100 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry Trader Joe's · 105 g Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 95 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Organic No Sugar Added Uncured Turkey Bacon 365 Whole Foods Market · 8 oz Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 95 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Premium Sliced Bacon Appleton Farms · 16 oz Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 94 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Thick Cut Bacon Oscar Mayer · 16 oz No nitrites or nitrates · No sodium nitrite Score 79 out of 100 , 20 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Thick Sliced Bacon
Ingredients
- Sodium nitrite minus 20 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Processed (NOVA 3) minus 8 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 17.7 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 4.1 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 471 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 29.4 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 41 = 59
Can’t score above 79. Contains sodium nitrite, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [11]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 471 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 41.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 17.7 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 29.4 g |
| Salt | 4.1 g |
Serving: 2 oven cooked (24 g)
Ingredients
Label text, as published
PORK CURED WITH: WATER, SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE.
Allergens and diets
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
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“the presence of nitrites and nitrates in foods can give rise to the formation of nitrosamines some of which are carcinogenic.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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EFSA confirms safe levels for nitrites and nitrates added to food
“They concluded that when nitrites are used at approved levels, their contribution to overall exposure to nitrosamines is of low concern for health.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern
“Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern”
efsa.europa.eu
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EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk