Supermarkets hit by falling demand for nitrite-cured bacon due to cancer fears

Sales of products made the traditional way dropped 7% in three months to 25 January while nitrite-free sales rose 20% UK supermarkets have been hit by a “bacon backlash” as consumers fear that chemicals used to preserve it increase the risk of cancer. Campaigners against the use of nitrites in meat production claimed the fall in sales showed that a “consumer revolt” against the traditional, nitrite-cured form of bacon was gathering pace. At the same time, sales of nitrite-free bacon – made by firms such as Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Finnebrogue – are rising, as bacon-lovers choose potentially safer alternatives. In 2016, the World Health Organization declared that processed meat, including bacon, was a cause of cancer, just like smoking and asbestos. Since then, the vast majority of bacon sold in the UK has still been treated with nitrites, to help maintain its pink colour. But campaigners said “a dramatic market shift” was under way. Data collected by consumer analysts Worldpanel by Numerator and published by the Coalition Against Nitrites showed that the value of nitrite-cured bacon sales fell by 7.3% during the 12 weeks to 25 January compared with the same period the year bef

Mar 6, 2026 → Mar 6, 2026