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Ham bacon in the test: quality ok, but often more fat and salt than stated

Ham bacon in the test: quality ok, but often more fat and salt than stated
Most of the 32 bacon, loin and raw ham products did quite well, only four were not convincing.
Image: VOLKER Weihbold

Most of the 32 bacon, loin and raw ham products did quite well, only four were not convincing. In 25 samples, the meat came from Austria. However, according to the examiners, two-thirds of the data on fat and salt content did not match reality.

Nine samples were rated “very good” – including the cheapest item – and 13 “good”. Six were classified as “average”. On the other hand, four products received a negative rating: one was only “unsatisfactory” due to its high nitrate content, three, including two organic salmon ham, failed completely (“unsatisfactory”). Reasons were mold growth or germs (Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli).

16 products carried the AMA seal of approval, five were organic and eleven had a protected geographical indication. 25 were packed in Austria, six in Germany and one in South Tyrol. All manufacturers answered the consumer’s question as to where the animals were born, fattened and slaughtered: In 25 cases, all steps actually took place in Austria.

The price ranged between 1.20 and 4.84 euros per 100 grams. The cheapest product was rated “very good”, the most expensive “good”. Price and quality did not always correlate – the three “failures” were all in the upper price segment.

The nitrite content was below the detection limit in all samples. However, nitrate, which comes from the curing salt used, was detectable in three quarters of the products. The meat products were stored ten times warmer than recommended. However, most of the complaints came from the labeling: some ingredients were missing from the list, and in two-thirds the declared and actual salt or fat content did not match. Only six of the 32 products tested fully met the requirements of the Food Information Ordinance (LMIV).

Even if the test results are quite pleasing overall, the consumer advocates point out that bacon and the like have a Nutri-Score of D or E and should generally not be on the menu too often.

Source: Nachrichten

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