Buzz
A puzzling creation of the processed food industry is the jarred, shelf-stable bacon bits. Perfect for enhancing salads or baked potatoes, these bits mimic the flavor and appearance of homemade crumbled bacon. However, their ingredient lists often reveal a more complex story, with some varieties not containing any meat at all.
As reported by Mashed, the makeup of pre-made bacon bits differs by brand. For instance, McCormick Bac'n Pieces, a widely recognized brand, are entirely plant-based. Instead of pork, they feature textured soy flour and canola oil, with additives like caramel color, red 40 dye, and flavor enhancers such as disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate to replicate the taste and look of bacon.
Other bacon bits available are not suitable for vegans. Hormel Real Bacon Pieces, for example, are crafted from real pork, cured with traditional preservatives like salt, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite. Additional ingredients such as smoke flavoring, sugar, and sodium phosphate are included to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. Similarly, Oscar Mayer's Real Bacon Bits also use pork and a comparable set of additives.
The diversity in bacon bits can be perplexing for shoppers, but a simple guideline can help. Products labeled "real bacon" contain actual pork, whereas those with creatively spelled names like McCormick Bac'n Pieces are typically meat-free. Always review the ingredient list to ensure it aligns with your dietary preferences. For those wary of artificial additives, opting for nitrate-free bacon and preparing homemade crumbles is a healthier choice.
The actual components of a product aren't always clear from its title. Discover the real ingredients behind the imitation crab commonly used in store-bought sushi.
