Which is Healthier, Organic Bacon or Nitrate Free Bacon?

Organic meat is healthier than factory farmed meat because organic animals are fed only GMO-free organic feed without animal by-products and raised without antibiotics. The overuse of antibiotics in farm animals is being blamed for the increase in resistant bacteria, also known as "superbugs." When these are passed to humans they can cause serious illness. Organic animals are more humanely raised (no crates or cages). We believe a happier animal is a healthier animal.

Why should we avoid Nitrites that are found in bacon and deli meats? Studies show that sodium nitrites and nitrates can increase the risks of certain cancers, can interfere with the thyroid gland, and interfere with the blood’s ability to deliver oxygen to the body.

As reported in the New York Times on Aug 8th, in 1973 - “Sodium nitrite is a chemical that cures meat, makes it look better and prevents botulism. But it also may lead to cancer”. The threat of cancer arises when a nitrite combines with amines and Heme iron, which is found only in meat, to form a compound called nitrosamine which is formed during cooking, and during the process of digestion. On Oct 26th, 2015 the WHO (World Health Organization) classified processed meat (meat cured with Sodium Nitrite or Nitrate) as carcinogenic to humans, based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.

So what’s healthier, organic bacon or nitrate free bacon? It shouldn’t be a choice. We believe all organic products should be preservative free. That is why our organic bacon is truly nitrite free. We do not replace sodium nitrate with celery nitrates. McLean has never used celery extracts in any of our deli products. In fact, we were the first company in Canada to create nitrite free deli meats. We are still the only company in Canada whose entire product line is truly preservative free.