Hormel Natural Choice

Rated at 3 out of 5 green leaves, the Hormel Natural Choice Fully Cooked Bacon offers a middle-ground option for those seeking cleaner food products. This bacon is part of the Hormel Natural Choice line, which aims to provide a simpler and more natural alternative to traditional processed meats.

The product is made from pork, water, salt, turbinado sugar, and seasoning that includes cultured celery juice powder and sea salt. The use of pork and water is standard in bacon products, while the inclusion of turbinado sugar, although a form of added sugar, is a choice by the manufacturer presumably for flavor enhancement. The seasoning employs celery juice powder, a natural source of nitrates, and sea salt, which is often perceived as a more natural alternative to refined table salt.

The absence of organic certification results in a deduction in the product’s score, reflecting the preference for organically sourced ingredients among health-conscious consumers. Additionally, the lack of non-GMO verification further impacts the score, as GMO ingredients are a concern for many individuals aiming for a cleaner diet. The added sugars, represented by turbinado sugar in the ingredients list, also contribute to the score reduction, given the increasing awareness of the negative health impacts of added sugars in diets.

The product presents an option for consumers who are looking for a more natural version of bacon without the preservatives commonly found in similar products. However, it does not meet the higher standards of organic and non-GMO products that are becoming more prevalent in the market. For those prioritizing a cleaner eating lifestyle, this bacon might serve as a compromise, balancing the desire for fewer additives with the acceptance of non-organic and GMO ingredients. This product stands as a testament to the growing demand for cleaner, more transparent food options, even though it does not fully align with the strictest interpretations of what constitutes a clean label product.