Our Cured & Uncured Bacon & Ham Is Nitrate & Nitrite Free!
Our cured and uncured bacon is pork belly that has been preserved without the added chemicals of synthetic nitrates and nitrites. Nitrates and nitrites are used in pork preservation to add color and extend their shelf life. The bright pink ham you see under the deli counter has most likely been preserved with nitrates and nitrites. Recent scientific breakthroughs are calling attention to the negative health implications of a diet that includes synthetic nitrates and nitrites.
The Skinny On Nitrates & Nitrites.
The use of nitrates and nitrites in food preservation has been used since 1925 to minimize the growth of Clostridium Botulinum. It has been a popular preservative for almost 100 years because it is inexpensive and adds the pleasing color consumers have grown accustomed to. Nitrates and nitrites in preserved food have been determined to:
- Increase Your Risk of Cancer: It has been established that eating processed meats can lead to an increased risk of cancer – especially cancer in the digestive tract.
- Possibly Increase Risks of Heart Disease: While studies are not definitive, there is research to suggest sodium nitrate can cause heart disease by hardening and narrowing your blood vessels.
Preparation Is Different With All Natural Pork.
At Sunrise Farms, we choose to preserve our meat with one of two methods:
- Old-fashioned Salt and Sugar Cure: salt, pepper, and sugar have long been used as an effective preservative for meats. The downside is the salty taste. When cooking with our salt-cured ham and bacon, we recommend you soak your meat in water. Soaking your bacon or country ham overnight or for a few hours and changing the water helps to minimize the salty taste.
- All-natural Celery Powder Cure: celery powder acts as a curing agent because of the naturally occurring nitrites it contains. We use this as an alternative to the synthetic nitrites used in commercially processed foods. Since celery powder is not officially recognized by the USDA, we are required to label this bacon and ham “uncured.” Our bacon and ham, however, contain naturally occurring celery powder rather than the synthetic nitrites used for most commercial ham and bacon.
Our Pork Products Add Rich Flavor To Your Recipes.
We offer a variety of MSG-free pork products at Sunrise Farms; including ground pork, chops, breakfast sausages, link-style varieties, tenderloin, ribs, hams, and much more. Pork is a fantastic ingredient because it delivers rich flavor without using much meat. Elevate simple plates of pasta and rice with a little bit of bacon or sausage without overloading them with calories. Visit our storefront to pick up meat for your family or contact a member of our team to learn more!
