Is There Any Pork In Bacon Bits?

While some companies at least start their bacon bits preparation with the breakfast meat—those versions tend to be labeled as “real” bacon bits—some brands’ bacon bits actually have no meat at all. And whether the bits contain meat or not, you’ll also find a whole lot of preservatives. So, what’s really being sprinkled into your omelet?

Shaking out bacon bits from a jar instead of frying up a pan of real-deal bacon can sometimes be all fine and good, but do you know what’s really in that container? Spoiler alert: Those little crumbles may not just be bits of bacon.

Prepare and Nourish suggests making bacon bits from scratch using thick-cut organic bacon free of nitrites and other chemicals commonly found in store-bought bacon bits. By cooking the bacon in the oven, you can create evenly crisped slices perfect for cutting into bite-sized pieces to sprinkle on soups, salads (healthy!), or baked potatoes.

Hormel’s bacon bits are made with “real” bacon, which, according to the label, is “cured with water, salt, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite.” The last two ingredients are food additives commonly found in cured meats to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. While both are FDA-approved,