Full English breakfast will soon be a good health option

BRITAIN’S fry-ups will become healthier thanks to a scientific breakthrough that cuts the cancer risk of bacon.

Food experts have managed to produce bacon that excludes vegetable nitrates or curing agents.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) claims bacon cured with nitrites is as dangerous as asbestos or smoking, because the chemicals produce carcinogenic nitrosamines when eaten.

It is thought that around 34,000 of annual bowel and colon cancer deaths are linked to diets high in processed meat and the WHO calculates that two daily rashers of nitrate-cured bacon increases the risk of bowel cancer by one fifth.

Now British meat manufacturers Finnebrogue have joined Spanish chemists to produce the first nitrate-free bacon, called Naked Bacon, which will be available in supermarkets next month.

Prof Chris Elliott, who chairs the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Many forms of processed foods have come under the spotlight over recent years for their unhealthy attributes. Processed red meat in particular has been a focal point.”

He said that nitro-containing compounds, used in traditional bacon, cause chemicals to form that have negative health impacts.

“To have a bacon produced naturally that doesn’t require such chemicals is a very welcome development.”

Neil Parish MP, chairman of the Commons select committee on the environment, food and rural affairs, said: “Making bacon without nitrites – and reducing the risk in the famous full English breakfast – is a remarkable feat of food technology and a brilliant British success story.”

Adding nitrites gives cured meat its characteristic pink colour, texture, flavour and also helps as a preservative. The new additive was produced from natural Mediterranean fruit and spice extracts after 10 years’ research and development. And crucially, in blind taste tests consumers said it was as good or better than traditionally cured meat.

It is already used in continental hams within the European Union, but this is the first time the technology has been applied to British bacon. Every year, Britons chomp through 350 million pounds in weight of bacon. The first packets of Naked Bacon will be available from Jan 10 in Marks & Spencer stores, while Naked Ham launches on Jan 15. Kirsty Adams, from M&S, said: “We are very excited to be the first to launch an own-brand, with a back and streaky bacon.”

Denis Lynn, Finnebrogue chairman, said: “Naked Bacon is not only safer than any other bacon on the market, it also tops the charts in blind taste tests.”