# Hormel Original Microwave Ready Bacon > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** HORMEL BLACK LABEL - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Dairy - **Size:** 12 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hormel-black-label-original-microwave-ready-bacon-12-oz - **Slug:** `hormel-black-label-original-microwave-ready-bacon-12-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods This is an ultra-processed product: pre-cooked, packaged bacon with added curing agents (sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate), sugars, and other additives designed for shelf stability and convenience. ## Review Hormel Black Label Original Microwave Ready Bacon is a pre-cooked, shelf-chilled bacon product sold in the refrigerated meat aisle alongside other packaged bacons, breakfast sausages, and refrigerated lunch meats — often shelved near eggs, butter, and breakfast convenience items. The package positions itself for grab-and-go convenience: single-use microwave pouches that promise less prep and cleanup and appeal to travelers and short-stay guests (hotel rooms, dorms, RVs). Occasions for purchase skew toward quick breakfasts, weekend brunches where speed matters, game-day snack prep, and on-the-road meals where a microwave is the only appliance available. The Hormel Black Label name trades on a long-standing Americana meat heritage, targeting busy adults and families who value familiar, hearty flavors and easy preparation; marketing leans into indulgence and tradition with lines like “slowly smoked to perfection.” Label claims emphasize taste and convenience rather than health — “microwave ready,” “slowly smoked” and brand slogans create a mild artisanal halo, but there are no organic, non-GMO, or natural-certification claims. Ingredients list shows curing agents (sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate), sugar/dextrose and salt, and the product is pre-cooked and sealed, i.e., manufactured and processed before retail. Sensory cues include a strong smoky aroma released from the pouch, crisped edges with a balance of chewy fat and salty-sweet notes from added sugars, and a ritual of popping the pouch in the microwave and releasing a bakery-like bacon smell that signals an effortless, indulgent meal addition. Packaging is flexible plastic pouching designed for quick microwave cook times and minimal cleanup. ## Diet flags - Gluten-free - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 2 - **Servings per container:** 8 - **Calories:** 70 - **Total fat:** 6g (8% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 2.5g (13% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 20mg (7% DV) - **Sodium:** 330mg (14% DV) - **Total carbs:** 0g (0% DV) - **Protein:** 4g ## Ingredients Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Dextrose, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite. ## Flagged ingredients - **Sodium Erythorbate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Sodium Nitrite** (preservative): Synthetic preservative ## Context tags - **Occasions:** weekend-brunch, game-day-prep, road-trip - **Vibes:** convenient, indulgent, nostalgic, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the microwave-ready bacon healthy? That really depends on your definition of healthy! If you're looking for a quick protein boost, this bacon offers 4g of protein per serving and is low in sugars. However, it does contain sodium nitrite and preservatives, which some folks prefer to avoid. So, it’s a great option for a tasty addition to meals, but maybe not your daily breakfast staple. ### Is this bacon vegan? Nope, this microwave-ready bacon is definitely not vegan. It’s made from real pork, so if you're avoiding animal products, you might want to look for plant-based bacon alternatives instead. There are some pretty tasty options out there now! ### Is the microwave-ready bacon gluten-free? Yes, it is! If you're on a gluten-free diet, you can enjoy this bacon without the worry of gluten sneaking in. Just make sure to check your other ingredients if you're whipping up a dish with it! ### Does it contain seed oils? Nope, no seed oils here! The ingredient list is pretty straightforward, focusing on pork and seasonings rather than processed oils. So you can enjoy your bacon without that concern. ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? No artificial sweeteners in this bacon! The only sweeteners are sugar and dextrose, which are used in moderation to enhance the flavor. It's pretty straightforward, so you can feel good about that. ### Is it high in sugar? Not at all! This bacon doesn't contain any added sugars beyond the small amounts of sugar and dextrose in its curing process, so if you're watching your sugar intake, this should fit right in. It's definitely not a sugary food! ### What are healthier alternatives to this bacon? If you're looking for something a bit less processed, turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives can be great options. They often have lower fat content and fewer preservatives. Just keep in mind that flavor and texture can vary, so it might take a bit of experimenting to find your favorite! ### Can kids eat this bacon? Absolutely! This bacon can be a fun treat for kids, especially when added to breakfast or in sandwiches. Just be mindful of the sodium content if you're serving it regularly — moderation is key! ### Is it good for weight loss? This bacon can fit into a weight loss plan if used wisely! At 70 calories and 6g of fat per serving, it can add flavor without breaking the calorie bank. Just balance it with plenty of veggies and whole grains for a well-rounded meal. ### Is it ultra-processed? While this bacon is certainly processed, it doesn't fall into the 'ultra-processed' category like some snack foods that are loaded with artificial ingredients and preservatives. It has a few preservatives, but the ingredient list is relatively simple, focusing on meat and basic curing ingredients. ## Related products - [Ballpark Beef Bun Size Franks, 15 Oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/ball-park-ballpark-beef-bun-size-franks-15-oz-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/ball-park-ballpark-beef-bun-size-franks-15-oz-15-oz - [Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt, 4 Pack, Coconut Vanilla](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/light-fit-dannon-light-fit-greek-yogurt-4-pack-coconut-vanilla-2120-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/light-fit-dannon-light-fit-greek-yogurt-4-pack-coconut-vanilla-2120-oz - [Health-Ade Kombucha Organic Blood Orange](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/health-ade-kombucha-organic-blood-orange-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/health-ade-kombucha-organic-blood-orange-16-oz - [Lactaid Fat Free Lactose Free Milk](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/lactaid-fat-free-lactose-free-milk-96-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/lactaid-fat-free-lactose-free-milk-96-oz - [Dannon Light + Fit Vanilla Original Nonfat Yogurt Pack, 0 Fat and 70 Calories, Creamy and Delicious Vanilla Yogurt, 4 Ct, 5.3 OZ Cups](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/light-fit-dannon-vanilla-original-nonfat-yogurt-pack-0-fat-and-70-calories-creamy-and-delicious-vanilla-yogurt-4-ct-53-oz-cups-2120-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/light-fit-dannon-vanilla-original-nonfat-yogurt-pack-0-fat-and-70-calories-creamy-and-delicious-vanilla-yogurt-4-ct-53-oz-cups-2120-oz - [Kozy Shack Pudding, Chocolate](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/kozy-shack-pudding-chocolate-22-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/kozy-shack-pudding-chocolate-22-oz - [Borden Cheese, Four Mexican Shredded](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/borden-cheese-four-mexican-shredded-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/borden-cheese-four-mexican-shredded-8-oz - [Galbani Part Skim Milk Ricotta Cheese](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/galbani-part-skim-milk-ricotta-cheese-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/galbani-part-skim-milk-ricotta-cheese-15-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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