A new type of bacon is hitting the shelves in Ireland today, with the manufacturers claiming it is free of the cancer causing nitrates contained in normal bacon.
The new ‘Naked Bacon’ comes from Irish firm Finnerbrogue who have worked with a Spanish chemist company to create a bacon that is completely free of nitrites, preservatives, E numbers and allergens.
Bacon is a favourite all around the world but there are some health warnings that come with the delicious food.
The World Health Organisation has said that eating two rashers of cured bacon everyday could increase your risk of bowel cancer by up to 18%.
However, Finnerbrogue claim their bacon is flavoured in such a way that the potentially harmful nitrites are replaced by fruit and spice extracts.
Finnebrogue chairman Denis Lynn revealed: “The problem with ordinary rashers is they contain nitrites, chemicals that produce cancer-causing nitrosamines in your gut. Put simply, nitrites should not be in food.
“Our Naked Bacon is not only safer than any other bacon on the market, it also tops the charts in blind taste tests.
Top food scientist Professor Chris Elliott said: “Finnebrogue have used a combination of innovation and natural fruit and spice extracts to come up with a bacon that is made without the need for added nitrites.
“Nitro containing compounds, used in the manufacture of traditional bacons, are known to cause the formation of chemicals that have negative health impacts.
“To have a bacon produced naturally, that doesn’t require such chemicals to be added or formed during processing, is a very welcome development.”
Written by Andrew Moore