According to The Grocer magazine, sales of nitrite free bacon soared at the end of 2025 and into 2026 with consumer spend on nitrite free products up 21.7% in the 12 weeks ending 25th January. In 2016, the World Health Organisation declared that processed meat, including bacon, is a cause of cancer, but the pressure group Coalition Against Nitrites has recently amplified findings of nitrite related risk, and increased news reporting last year appears to have had an impact on consumers.
The Coalition Against Nitrites is a non-profit organisation that brings together scientists, medical professionals, policy makers, cross-party politicians and others to lobby for the end of the use of nitrites in processed meats. The Coalition believes that with new technologies now available there is no justification for adding carcinogenic compounds to foods such as bacon, ham and sausages.
To find out more about this campaign see https://coalitionagainstnitrites.com/
