Are you a bacon lover who’s concerned about where your favorite breakfast food comes from?
With the rise of global trade and international food production, it’s natural to wonder if your favorite bacon brand is made in China or other countries.
Hormel Foods Corporation, a leading American food processing company, has been in the news lately for its operations in China and Brazil. But what about their bacon?
In this article, we’ll explore whether Hormel bacon is made in China or if it’s still produced in the United States.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the sizzling world of bacon production.
Is Hormel Bacon From China?
The short answer is no, Hormel bacon sold in the United States is not made in China. According to Hormel Foods Corporation, products sold in the United States are produced and packaged in the United States unless specified otherwise on the label.
While Hormel Foods does operate processing facilities in China and Brazil, any products made at those facilities are produced for Chinese and Brazilian consumers. Hormel Foods has minority positions in joint ventures and royalty agreements to produce branded products for consumers in international markets.
So, if you’re a bacon lover in the United States, you can rest assured that your Hormel bacon is still made in America.
The Globalization Of Food Production
The globalization of food production has led to an increase in the import and export of food products worldwide. WH Group, the world’s largest pork producer, has been importing raw materials from the U.S. to feed demand in China. The company is now opening new factories in China to produce American-style sausage, ham, and bacon. Hormel Foods Corporation, a major American food company, has also expanded its operations to other countries, including Brazil and China.
Hormel Foods Corporation operates two manufacturing plants in Brazil and China, where it produces goods for Chinese and Brazilian consumers. However, the company’s products sold in the United States are generally produced and packaged in the United States unless otherwise specified on the label. The globalization of food production has allowed companies like Hormel Foods to expand their reach and cater to international markets.
The globalization of food production has also led to concerns about food safety and quality control. With food products being produced in different countries, it can be difficult to regulate and ensure that they meet the same standards as domestically produced products. However, companies like Hormel Foods have strict quality control measures in place to ensure that their products meet the highest standards of safety and quality.
Hormel’s Operations In China And Brazil
Hormel Foods Corporation operates processing facilities in China and Brazil, but any products made at those facilities are produced for Chinese and Brazilian consumers. Hormel Foods has minority positions in joint ventures and royalty agreements to produce branded products for consumers in international markets.
The company’s manufacturing plants in Brazil and China each manufacture goods for Chinese and Brazilian consumers. Hormel Foods Corporation has been expanding its global presence, with a focus on accelerating growth and investment in China, Brazil, and Indonesia. The company is also leveraging partnerships in the Philippines, South Korea, and Europe to expand its international footprint.
In the coming fiscal year, Hormel Foods Corporation plans to open a research and development and innovation center in China. This center will serve as a culinary creation hub for the Asia-Pacific region. The company’s strategic priorities include accelerating global growth and expanding its leadership in foodservice.
Where Does Hormel Get Its Bacon?
Hormel Foods sources its hogs for bacon from more than 500 independent family farmers across the Midwest and from a company-owned farm in Colorado. Many of these family farms have been suppliers for multiple generations, and all of the designated market hogs are housed in a group pen setting from birth. The bellies used to make Hormel bacon for retail sale are of the highest quality, hand-trimmed resulting in specialized cuts, then cured, smoked, and sliced.
Hormel Foods has several bacon brands available for consumers, including Applegate, which is the No. 1 brand in the United States in both the organic and natural bacon category. Hormel’s iconic Black Label Bacon includes Original, Thick Cut Bacon, Natural Choice, Original Uncured, Cherrywood Smoked Uncured, and Natural Choice Fully Cooked. Hormel’s Jennie-O Turkey Store also offers turkey bacon in blueberry and jalapeño flavors.
The large number of Hormel bacon offerings have come about as a result of the demands consumers place on the company for products that can be prepared quickly and easily. Hormel’s bacon is sold in the United States and is produced and packaged in the United States unless specified otherwise on the label. Hormel Foods operates processing facilities in China and Brazil, but any products made at those facilities are produced for Chinese and Brazilian consumers.
Hormel’s Bacon Production Process
Hormel Foods Corporation has been producing bacon since its inception over 128 years ago. The company’s bacon production process starts with selecting the highest quality bellies, which are then hand-trimmed to create specialized cuts. These bellies are injected with a solution containing water, sodium nitrite, and sodium erythorbate to create an injected belly. The injected belly is then tumbled under vacuum with dry ingredients such as salt, sugar, and dextrose to create a tumbled belly.
The tumbled belly is then chilled to create a firmed belly, which is molded into a desired shape without a 24 to 48 hour holding period. The molded belly is then frozen to create a hardened belly, which is sliced into bacon slices. These slices are then cooked to perfection.
Hormel Foods offers various bacon brands for consumers, including Applegate, Hormel’s iconic Black Label Bacon, and Jennie-O Turkey Store turkey bacon. The Natural Choice brand contains no nitrites or nitrates, except for celery powder. For customers who want lower salt, that’s also available from the Black Label brand. Hormel also offers a lot of bacon toppings that can be added to hamburgers, pizza, and more.
The bacon ends and pieces are fed into a continuous oil fryer until the desired second water activity level is achieved. This level is between 0.7 to 0.8 and preferably between 0.72 to 0.76. The bacon ends and pieces are in the continuous fryer until either this desired water activity level or the desired color level (a dark red color) is achieved.
Hormel Foods’ commitment to quality and innovation has made it a leading producer of bacon in the United States. Its production process ensures that consumers get high-quality bacon that is easy to prepare and cook to perfection.
Hormel’s Commitment To Quality And Safety
Hormel Foods Corporation is committed to providing high-quality, safe, and nutritious foods to consumers all over the world. The company’s dedication to quality and safety is evident in its production process for bacon and other processed meats.
The bellies used to make Hormel bacon for retail sale are of the highest quality. The company hand-trims the bellies, resulting in specialized cuts that are then cured, smoked, and sliced. Hormel’s commitment to quality extends beyond the production process, as the company also ensures that its products are safe for consumers to consume.
Hormel Foods takes food safety seriously and has implemented several measures to ensure that its products are safe for consumption. The company has a team of food safety experts who work tirelessly to monitor the production process and ensure that all safety protocols are followed. Hormel Foods also conducts regular audits of its suppliers to ensure that they meet the company’s high standards for quality and safety.
Moreover, Hormel Foods’ subsidiary in China is dedicated to providing the same high quality and safety standards to its customers as those in the United States. The subsidiary has established itself as one of the largest producers of Western and Chinese-style processed meats and peanut butter for retail and food service operators. Hormel Foods Corporation wishes to extend its gratitude to you for your continued support, and it is a privilege for the company to provide customers with the same high-quality products they know and love.
Conclusion: Hormel Bacon – Made In The USA
Hormel Foods Corporation has been producing bacon in the United States for over 128 years, and it continues to be a significant part of the company’s growth and development. With annual sales of $500 million in retail and club sales, Hormel’s bacon brands, including Applegate, Black Label Bacon, and Jennie-O Turkey Store, offer a wide range of options for consumers.
While Hormel Foods does operate processing facilities in China and Brazil, any products made at those facilities are produced for Chinese and Brazilian consumers. Hormel bacon sold in the United States is produced and packaged in the United States unless specified otherwise on the label.
Despite a false advertising lawsuit brought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund claiming that Hormel’s Natural Choice® line of deli meats and snacks was misleading, the D.C. Superior Court granted summary judgment to Hormel Foods because the claims were preempted by federal law.
