Is Pederson's Bacon Clean?

The Short Answer

Pederson's Natural Farms is a clean, recommended brand. Unlike 99% of bacon on the shelf, their flagship "No Sugar Added" product contains zero sugar and—surprisingly—no celery powder.

While most "uncured" bacons swap synthetic nitrates for celery powder (which is still a nitrate), Pederson's non-organic "No Sugar Added" line uses fruit and rosemary extracts for preservation. This makes it one of the only widely available bacons that is truly nitrate-free.

Why This Matters

Bacon is usually a nutritional minefield. Standard brands are cured with sodium nitrite, a known carcinogen, and loaded with sugar. Even "natural" brands like Applegate typically use celery powder, which converts to nitrites during digestion.

Pederson's solves the two biggest bacon problems: sugar and hidden nitrates. By using a vinegar and fruit extract cure for their main line, they offer a processed meat product that minimizes the "processed" risks. Plus, their pork is GAP Certified, ensuring the animals were raised without crates and with access to the outdoors.

What's Actually In Pederson's

Pederson's has a few different lines. The ingredients differ significantly between them.

The "No Sugar Added" Hickory Smoked Bacon (Best Option):

• Pork — Humanely raised, vegetarian fed. Is Bacon Bad
• Water — Moisture.
• Vinegar — Natural preservative.
• Salt — For flavor and curing.
• Citrus, Pomegranate & Rosemary Extracts — Antioxidants that replace traditional curing agents.

The Organic Uncured Bacon (Good Option):

• Organic Pork — Certified organic.
• Water, Vinegar, Salt — Standard base.
• Organic Brown Sugar — Added sweetness (avoid for Whole30/Keto).
• Celery Powder — Source of naturally occurring nitrates.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• "No Sugar Added" — Essential for Whole30 and Keto compliance.
• GAP Animal Welfare Certified — Third-party verification for humane treatment.
• Antibiotic-Free — Pigs never administered antibiotics.
• Celery-Free — Look for "fruit extracts" instead of "celery powder" on the label if you want to avoid nitrates entirely.

Red Flags:

• "Natural" Flavoring — Often a hiding place for additives, though Pederson's is generally transparent.
• High Sodium — Like all bacon, it's salt-heavy (approx. 260mg per slice).
• Price — Expect to pay a premium ($8+ per pack).

The Best Options

Pederson's is the winner, but availability can be spotty.

The Bottom Line

1. Buy the "No Sugar Added" version. It is the cleanest SKU in their lineup and one of the cleanest in the entire grocery store.

2. Check the label for celery. If you are sensitive to nitrates, ensure "celery powder" is absent from the specific package you buy, as their organic line still uses it.

3. Cook it gently. High-heat frying can create carcinogens in any meat, regardless of how clean the cure is. Baking is often safer.

FAQ

Is Pederson's bacon Whole30 approved?

Yes. The No Sugar Added Hickory Smoked Bacon is Whole30 Approved and a staple of the program because it contains absolutely no added sweeteners.

Does Pederson's bacon have nitrates?

It depends on the package. The No Sugar Added variety is free of added nitrates and nitrites (including celery powder). However, their Organic and flavored varieties often contain celery powder, which is a natural source of nitrates.

Is Pederson's bacon humane?

Yes. Pederson's farms are GAP (Global Animal Partnership) Certified. This means no gestation crates, no farrowing crates, and animals are raised with access to the outdoors and comfortable bedding.

---

References (13)

1. 1. fooducate.com
2. 2. cooklist.com
3. 3. pedersonsfarms.com
4. 4. pedersonsfarms.com
5. 5. pedersonsfarms.com
6. 6. pedersonsfarms.com
7. 7. olympiaprovisions.com
8. 8. eatthis.com
9. 9. youtube.com
10. 10. fooducate.com
11. 11. sunbasket.com
12. 12. walmart.com
13. 13. pedersonsfarms.com