Hormel Natural Choice

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Hormel Natural Choice Original Uncured Bacon offers a less desirable choice for those seeking cleaner food options. The product is not organic, which detracts from its clean food status, reducing its overall healthfulness. Additionally, the absence of non-GMO ingredients further lowers its standing in the clean food category.

The presence of added sugars, specifically turbinado sugar, in the bacon’s ingredients list is another factor that negatively impacts its health score. Added sugars contribute to the product’s reduced nutritional value. Furthermore, the inclusion of cultured celery powder as an additive is a significant concern. Although some may argue that celery powder is a natural preservative, it’s often used as an alternative to synthetic nitrates and nitrites, and its health implications are not fully understood.

The product’s ingredients are straightforward: pork, water, salt, turbinado sugar, cultured celery powder, and sea salt. However, the use of these particular ingredients does not align with the highest standards for clean and healthy food. The absence of organic certification implies that the pork may have been produced with conventional farming methods, which often involve the use of pesticides and other chemicals that many consumers prefer to avoid.

Improvements for this product would involve the use of organic pork to ensure the absence of these substances and the elimination of added sugars and questionable additives. By addressing these issues, the product could significantly increase its green leaf rating and appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for cleaner, more natural bacon options.

The Hormel Natural Choice Original Uncured Bacon currently holds a place that reflects the need for better ingredient choices. Its score acknowledges the product’s potential for improvement and highlights the importance of transparency and commitment to cleaner ingredients for the health-oriented market.