The Grocer magazine reported that Waitrose has launched nitrite-free ham in response to consumer demand and increased sales of its nitrite-free unsmoked back bacon which has shown a 22% increase in sales since last year (The Grocer, 21.04.26). Sales of nitrite cured bacon went down by £18.7 million in the 12 weeks to the end of January according to data from Worldpanel (also reported in The Grocer).
The nitrite-free products will come under a ‘Made Without Nitrites’ banner.
The majority of supermarkets sell nitrite free products, with some having own brand versions (M&S, Morrisons) and many selling branded products which are nitrite free (such as Finnebrogue, Unearthed and organic products from producers such as Helen Browning and Eversfield Organic). The Co-operative has reduced nitrites by 60% in own brand products.
