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Bacon and ham Updated: 04 Jun 2009

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pig welfare Posted by: Belinda Marshall 27 Nov 2010 8:59pm

We can do nothing for the welfare of pigs just buy purchasing free farmed nz grown pork unless the government bans imported pork. Most of the pork we import has been raised in cages stacked upto five high with the top pig getting most of the feed & the lower pig hardly any (the pigs live on the effulent of the swine above it, as there are still nutrients left in their waste). Pretty sad but true. Enjoy you bacon & eggs people

Moisture content and free range pork Posted by: Steve Southall 10 Jun 2009 10:17pm

Thanks for highlighting the fact that so much liquid is being added to pork. I think the problem extends to other meats too - I've long wondered why some minces and stir-fry meats are very hard to brown as they turn into a watery stew when heated.

I continue to ask my supermarket when they're going to specifically stock more free range pork - but I just get a raised eyebrow in response. If more customers asked, maybe the message would get through.

Polyphosphates Posted by: Past member 10 Jun 2009 8:40pm

Good piece of research and consumer protection. Did your test include a check on the level/presence of polyphosphates which is sometimes infused in the meat to enable it to absorb more water?

bacon and ham Posted by: Megan Jenkins 10 Jun 2009 8:04am

New Zealanders are too complacent aboaut complaining and esp. about ham and bacon. With the huge population difference between the UK and NZ the ham there tastes so much better. Sure there is some that would still be tasteless like ours, but the majority that we tasted, was lovely. How do their pig farmers/factories do it and we can't. I have never had bought ham here that tasted like ham in the UK or that I have cooked myself
M Jenkins

Ron Merkley Posted by: Ronald Merkley 10 Jun 2009 8:01am

Excellent article. Chicken next?

Lynda Posted by: Lynda Hull 10 Jun 2009 7:35am

We agree - We'd love to see an online petition [well publicised] to improve NZ pig welfare.
We will no longer buy bacon or ham unless we can guarantee from the packaging that it is truly free range.

Nitrites Posted by: Flourish 10 Jun 2009 1:14am

Freedom Farms has a nitrite-free, naturally cured, traditional wood-smoked product; as well as using no crates, no cages, no pens, no growth hormones, NZ grown. That's why we buy it. We do buy a lot less bacon than we'd like to because of the price...

Lindsay Posted by: Lindsay Jack 09 Jun 2009 10:10pm

Would like an online petition to request urgent changes to the current legislation governing care of pigs and also with labelling on pork products to enable consumers to buy free-range products with confidence.