Birchwood

Streaky bacon

Barcode 4056489174165

No — Streaky bacon is not ultra-processed.

The product consists mainly of pork, water, salt, and common curing agents (sodium ascorbate as antioxidant, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate as preservatives). These are traditional curing ingredients and not the kind of industrial formulations or cosmetic additives (emulsifiers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners, flavorings, refined syrups, etc.) that define UPFs in the NOVA system. Therefore it is processed meat (NOVA 3), but not ultra-processed.

Ingredients

3 ultra-processed markers

OK

unsmoked rindless streaky bacon rashers w ingredients 87% pork
OK

water

Essential base ingredient for countless foods and beverages; serves as solvent and texture modifier.
OK

salt

Common mineral compound (sodium chloride) used as a seasoning and preservative across cuisines.
UPF

sodium ascorbate

Sodium ascorbate is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid, used as an antioxidant to prevent oxidation in foods and to extend shelf life.
UPF

sodium nitrite

A curing salt used to preserve and cure meat by inhibiting bacterial growth and giving pink color. Often used in processed meats.
UPF

potassium nitrate

A chemical curing salt used to preserve meat and develop cured colour; an inorganic salt often used in processed meats.

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Common questions about Streaky bacon

Is Streaky bacon ultra-processed?

No — Streaky bacon by Birchwood is not ultra-processed, so it is not a UPF (ultra-processed food). The product consists mainly of pork, water, salt, and common curing agents (sodium ascorbate as antioxidant, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate as preservatives). These are traditional curing ingredients and not the kind of industrial formulations or cosmetic additives (emulsifiers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners, flavorings, refined syrups, etc.) that define UPFs in the NOVA system. Therefore it is processed meat (NOVA 3), but not ultra-processed.

Which ingredients in Streaky bacon are ultra-processed?

Nomi flags 3 ingredients in Streaky bacon as ultra-processed markers: sodium ascorbate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.

What does "ultra-processed" (UPF) mean?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.

How can I check whether other foods are ultra-processed?

Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.

Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.