Is Hickory-Smoked Bacon Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Coborn's Four Brothers
Hickory-Smoked Bacon is one of the meat product products analyzed by Zerotox for Coborn's Four Brothers. The product scores 30/100 in Zerotox, meaning it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Tripolyphosphate affect the overall evaluation.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition of this bacon includes several problematic ingredients such as sodium nitrite and sodium tripolyphosphate, which raise significant safety concerns. The presence of artificial colorants and preservatives further indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative linked to health concerns, particularly in processed meats.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains pork bellies, a natural meat source, contributing to flavor and texture.
- Natural smoke flavor extractives of paprika provide a traditional smoky taste.
Concerns
- Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative linked to health concerns, particularly in processed meats.
- Sodium tripolyphosphate is used as a processing aid but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
- Red #3 is an artificial colorant that may pose health risks associated with synthetic dyes.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is included, which can cause sensitivity in some individuals.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this meat product.
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Is Pork Bellies safe in this meat product?
Good
Pork Bellies is used here as base. Pork bellies are the primary ingredient, providing the main flavor and texture of the bacon. This natural meat source is generally considered safe.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pork bellies
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Is Water safe in this meat product?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water is used to maintain moisture in the bacon, ensuring a desirable texture. It is a safe and common ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Potassium Lactate safe in this meat product?
Medium
Potassium Lactate is used here as preservative. Potassium lactate is an antimicrobial agent that helps inhibit bacterial growth. While it is generally recognized as safe, it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: antimicrobial agent (potassium lactate, water, sodium diacetate)
-
Is Sodium Diacetate safe in this meat product?
Medium
Sodium Diacetate is used here as preservative. Sodium diacetate is used as a preservative to enhance shelf life. It is a synthetic compound that raises some safety concerns.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium diacetate
-
Is Salt safe in this meat product?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is a natural flavor enhancer and preservative, essential for curing meats. It is widely used and generally safe in moderation.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Paprika safe in this meat product?
Good
Paprika is used here as flavor. Paprika is a natural spice that adds flavor and color to the bacon. It is safe and contributes positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: paprika & other spices
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Is Monosodium Glutamate safe in this meat product?
Medium
Monosodium Glutamate is used here as flavor. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) enhances flavor but can cause sensitivity in some individuals. Its inclusion raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: monosodium glutamata
-
Is Sugar safe in this meat product?
Medium
Sugar is used here as flavor. Sugar is used to balance flavors in the seasoning mix. While it is a common ingredient, excessive consumption raises health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: sugar
-
Is Soy Flour safe in this meat product?
Medium
Soy Flour is used here as thickener. Soy flour acts as a thickener and adds protein content. It is a processed ingredient that may cause allergies in sensitive individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: soy flour
-
Is Onion safe in this meat product?
Good
Onion is used here as flavor. Onion is a natural flavoring agent that enhances the overall taste of the bacon. It is safe and commonly used.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: onion
-
Is Garlic safe in this meat product?
Good
Garlic is used here as flavor. Garlic adds a distinct flavor to the bacon and is considered safe and beneficial in culinary applications.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: garlic
-
Is Natural Smoke Flavor Extractives Of Paprika safe in this meat product?
Medium
Natural Smoke Flavor Extractives Of Paprika is used here as flavor. This ingredient provides a smoky flavor characteristic of bacon. While natural, it is still a processed extract.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural smoke flavor extractives of paprika
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Is Calcium Stearate safe in this meat product?
Medium
Calcium Stearate is used here as anti-caking agent. Calcium stearate is used to prevent caking in powdered ingredients. It is a synthetic additive that raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: anti-caking agent
Original: calcium stearate
-
Is Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate safe in this meat product?
Bad
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate is used here as anti-caking agent. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate is a synthetic compound used to prevent caking. Its inclusion raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: anti-caking agent
Original: tetrasodium pyrophosphate [to prevent caking]
Read the full ingredient profile for Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
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Is Brown Sugar safe in this meat product?
Medium
Brown Sugar is used here as flavor. Brown sugar adds sweetness and flavor to the bacon. While it is a natural ingredient, it is still a form of sugar that should be consumed in moderation.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: brown sugar
-
Is Sodium Nitrite safe in this meat product?
Bad
Sodium Nitrite is used here as preservative. Sodium nitrite is a synthetic preservative used for curing meats. It raises significant health concerns due to its association with processed meats.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium nitrite
-
Is Propylene Glycol safe in this meat product?
Medium
Propylene Glycol is used here as anti-caking agent. Propylene glycol is used to prevent caking in powdered ingredients. It is a synthetic compound that raises some safety concerns.
Role in formula: anti-caking agent
Original: propylene glycol [to prevent caking]
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Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe in this meat product?
Medium
Sodium Bicarbonate is used here as buffer. Sodium bicarbonate is used as a buffering agent in the curing process. It is generally recognized as safe but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: sodium bicarbonate [buffer]
-
Is Sodium Tripolyphosphate safe in this meat product?
Bad
Sodium Tripolyphosphate is used here as preservative. Sodium tripolyphosphate is a synthetic additive used to retain moisture and improve texture. Its presence raises concerns about processed ingredients.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium tripolyphosphate
Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Tripolyphosphate
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Is Sodium Erythorbate safe in this meat product?
Medium
Sodium Erythorbate is used here as preservative. Sodium erythorbate is a synthetic antioxidant used to preserve color and flavor. While it is effective, it is still a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium erythorbate
-
Is Red 3 safe in this meat product?
Bad
Red 3 is used here as colorant. Red #3 is an artificial colorant that has been linked to health concerns. Its inclusion indicates a reliance on synthetic additives.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: red #3
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 3416577
More from this brand: Coborn's Four Brothers products in Zerotox
Similar products: meat_product in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.