Is Lower Sodium Bacon Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why Lower Sodium Bacon falls into a gray area, we need to look closely at the curing process. The product is made from pork, which immediately disqualifies it from a vegetarian diet. However, for vegans, the nuance lies in the additives.

The primary flag for strict vegans is the presence of Sugar. Sugar is a plant-derived ingredient, but in the US, it is often processed using bone char (animal bone) to bleach and refine it. While the sugar in this bacon isn't explicitly listed as 'bone char processed,' the presence of any sugar creates ambiguity for ethical vegans.

Additionally, the curing agents present a chemical concern. Ingredients like Sodium Nitrite and Potassium Chloride are mineral-based and generally considered vegan-friendly. However, the inclusion of Sodium Erythrobate (a curing accelerator) and Sodium Phosphate (a texture enhancer) are synthetic additives that many whole-food vegans prefer to avoid entirely.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Lower Sodium Bacon is a mixed bag. A serving of two pan-fried slices contains 70 calories and 6g of fat. While the fat content is moderate for a processed meat, the calorie density is relatively high for such a small portion size.

The 'Lower Sodium' claim holds true, with 220mg per serving, which is significantly less than standard bacon. However, the 7% Daily Value for Sugars is notable. For a savory meat product, this added sugar contributes unnecessary carbohydrates that strict diets (like Keto or Paleo) often monitor closely, even if the total carb count reads 0g.