Lexi Webster
Bacon is a beloved food product in Australia, with its origin dating back to the need to preserve meat for sustenance during the winter months. While Australians enjoy different types of bacon cuts, such as streaky, middle, and short cut bacon, there is growing concern about the origin and welfare standards of the bacon they consume. Most bacon in Australia is imported, and consumers are increasingly seeking Australian-sourced bacon to support local pig farmers and ensure higher animal welfare standards. To find Australian bacon, consumers look for labels like outdoor bred or free-range and certifications like RSPCA Approved. They also check for the kangaroo mark and the percentage of Australian ingredients, as some bacon may only contain a small proportion of Australian content. Popular Australian bacon brands include Bertocchi and Smokeman Brothers, which can be found at local butchers and farmers' markets.
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What You'll Learn
Supermarket brands: Coles, Don, Bertocchi
Australians tend to prefer their bacon made from 100% Australian pork. While it is difficult to find, some supermarket brands do offer it.
Coles, for example, usually has its own brand of bacon that is very clearly labelled as 100% Australian pork. Their prices range from $5 to $22 per kg.
On the other hand, brands like Don and Bertocchi have been criticised for only including 10-20% Aussie meat in their small goods.
While it may be more expensive, some Coles stores do offer 100% Aussie pork bacon. Alternatively, consumers are recommended to check out their local butcher for bacon with a higher percentage of Australian pork.
Overall, while it may be challenging to find bacon made entirely from Australian pork in supermarkets, options like Coles' own brand or local butchers can provide consumers with bacon that meets their preferences and standards.
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Imported pork
Australia currently does not produce enough pork to meet the demand for bacon. As a result, a lot of the bacon sold in supermarkets is made from imported pork.
Australian Bacon
If you want to support Australian pig farmers, who are facing challenges due to high feed prices and competition from cheap imported pork, look for the pink Australian Pork logo. Brands like Bertocchi and Smokeman Brothers offer bacon made with Australian pork, although these can be harder to find in supermarkets. Bacon from local butchers is generally made from Australian pork, and all bacon at farmers' markets is sourced locally.
Supermarket Options
Some supermarket brands, such as Coles, offer their own bacon labelled as 100% Australian pork. However, other brands like Don and Bertocchi have been criticised for having only 10-20% Aussie meat in their products. It is worth checking the labels and, if possible, supporting local farmers by choosing bacon with a higher percentage of Australian content.
Bacon Cuts
In Australia, there are a few types of bacon cuts commonly available in supermarkets, including streaky, middle cut, and short cut. The middle cut is a combination of both the shortcut and streaky bacon, offering a balance between the two preferences. Middle cut bacon can be purchased with or without the rind.
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Country-of-origin labelling
In Australia, most food must be labelled with its country of origin, following the rules set out in the Food Labelling Standard. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other Australian Consumer Law regulators enforce these rules and can investigate businesses that are allegedly mislabelling their products.
The Food Labelling Standard has three general formats for country-of-origin food labelling. For priority food items grown, produced, or made in Australia, a graphic and text-based label are mandatory. This includes the kangaroo logo, a bar chart indicating the percentage of Australian ingredients, and explanatory text. A graphic and text-based label are also mandatory for most priority food items packed in Australia. It may also be used for imported foods to show they contain Australian ingredients. For non-priority food items, a text-only label is used.
Businesses must also ensure that any representations of the country of origin outside of packaging and labelling, such as in advertising, are true and accurate and not false or misleading. They must also take reasonable steps to correct any country-of-origin claims that become incorrect due to manufacturing or supply chain changes.
In Australia, consumers seeking to buy bacon made from Australian pork face difficulties due to the prevalence of imported pork in supermarkets. Bacon sold in supermarkets typically contains only 10-20% Australian pork, with the rest being imported. Consumers seeking bacon made from 100% Australian pork may have better luck at local butchers or farmers' markets, where bacon is generally made from Australian pork.
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Australian pig farming
In Australia, pig farming has come under scrutiny for the treatment of pigs and the conditions in which they are kept. The RSPCA highlights the extreme confinement of breeding pigs, with 90% of pigs farmed in barren, indoor environments with slatted concrete floors and no bedding or enrichment. Mother pigs (sows) are kept in farrowing crates, unable to turn around or bond with their young, and piglets often undergo tail docking and teeth clipping. While individual sow stalls have been largely phased out, other confinements like farrowing crates and boar stalls remain in use.
Australian pig farmers face challenges due to high feed prices and competition from cheap imported pork. This has resulted in mixed messages on bacon packaging, with labels stating "Made in Australia from at least 20% Australian ingredients". Consumers seeking to support local pig farmers can look for the pink Australian Pork logo or buy from local butchers and farmers' markets, which typically source Australian pork.
Bacon is an integral part of Australian cuisine, with various cuts and types available. Streaky bacon, middle cut, and short cut are commonly found in supermarkets. Middle cut bacon, a combination of streaky and shortcut bacon, caters to health-conscious consumers as it has less fat content and doesn't shrink as much during cooking. Other options include Italian speck, made from pork leg, and plant-based alternatives made from tofu, tempeh, coconut, or eggplant.
Australia also offers different types of cured meats similar to bacon. The Italian version is made from salt-cured pork belly but is not smoked, allowing it to be consumed cooked or uncooked. Bacon itself is typically cured with a mix of salt, sugar, and nitrate, with additional spices like black pepper, maple syrup, or paprika. The nitrate gives bacon its distinctive pink colour.
While some Australians opt for well-known brands like Bertocchi and Smokeman Brothers, others prefer to support local businesses by purchasing bacon from their neighbourhood butcher. This ensures they are getting higher-quality bacon with a higher percentage of Australian pork.
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Local butchers and markets
When it comes to bacon, Australians have a variety of options to choose from, including local butchers and markets.
For those seeking higher-quality bacon, local butchers are a popular choice. Many butchers offer bacon made from Australian pork, which is often considered superior to the imported variety found in supermarkets. Bacon from local butchers is typically sourced from local farmers, supporting the Australian pig farming industry, which faces challenges due to high feed prices and competition from cheap imported pork.
One advantage of purchasing bacon from a local butcher is the transparency in the meat's origin and production process. Some butchers even cure and smoke their bacon on-site, ensuring a fresh and authentic product. This practice also allows them to avoid using preservatives like sodium nitrite, which some consumers prefer to avoid.
Additionally, local butchers often provide a wider range of bacon cuts, such as streaky, middle cut, and short cut, allowing customers to choose the option that best suits their preferences and cooking methods.
For those seeking the freshest and most authentic bacon experience, farmers' markets are another option. All bacon sold at these markets is guaranteed to be locally sourced, providing an excellent opportunity to support local farmers directly.
While supermarket bacon tends to be cheaper, it often contains a high percentage of brine and imported pork that may not adhere to the same welfare standards as Australian pork. As a result, many Australians opt to pay a premium for the superior taste and quality of bacon from local butchers and markets, even if it means purchasing less frequently.
Overall, Australians who prioritize taste, quality, and supporting local farmers tend to favor purchasing bacon from local butchers and markets, despite the higher cost compared to supermarket brands.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular bacon brands in Australia include Coles, Bertocchi, and Smokeman Brothers.
Bacon with this label is made from imported pork that has been defrosted and placed in tumblers with water, salt, sugar, spices, and chemicals that make the meat retain water. The water and possibly the salt and sugar are the Australian part.
Look for the kangaroo logo and check the bar to see the percentage of Australian ingredients. Bacon with over 90% Australian ingredients is likely made from Australian pork.
Streaky, middle cut, and short cut bacon cuts are commonly available in Australian supermarkets.
You can look for labels like outdoor bred, free-range, or certification marks for reputable animal welfare certifications like RSPCA Approved.
