These are the worst supermarket hams, according to Profeco
There's no doubt that ham is a product that's often found in Mexican refrigerators . The reasons: its versatility, ease and proximity to purchase, and flavor are key features of this food. However, not all products are of good quality; below, we'll share the study conducted by the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) on this food.
Profeco conducted a quality study on this subject , in which it discovered that at least 16 ham products, vegan imitations, and sausages, contain false claims on their labels. We'll tell you which ham-like products you should avoid, according to Profeco.
What is ham made of?According to the Mexican Official Standard NOM-158-SCFI-2003, the generic ham classification is given to products with a specific quantity of pork or turkey in their preparation , which must be visibly informed on the packaging and, of course, be true:
- Ham leg : made exclusively with meat from the hind leg of the pig.
- Pork and turkey ham : made with a minimum of 55% pork and the rest with turkey.
- Turkey Ham : Made exclusively from turkey thigh meat.
- Turkey and pork ham : made with a minimum of 55% turkey meat and the rest with pork.
In addition to these percentages, the cooked ham we consume in Mexico also contains water, salt, sugar, food additives (preservatives, phosphates, and nitrites), soy (no more than 2%), and starch (no more than 10%), according to official standards.
Read: Is sausage the same as ham?It's very important to differentiate ham from sausages . Although they are made in a similar way, the right to call a product "ham" in Mexico is based on the aforementioned rule.
The rest are sausages, which vary in ingredient percentages, have lower nutritional value, and are not governed by official regulations dictating the type of pork or poultry they use, as they may even use meat paste.
Additionally, they may have a higher percentage of soy and starch, making them generally less healthy. In fact, according to Profeco , "they have been linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, as they may be high in sodium, fat, and additives like nitrites."
Its consumption should not exceed 50 grams per day, according to Dr. Rafael Carbajal, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
You might be interested in: The worst hams and sausagesIn Profeco 's most recent Quality Study , 40 products were analyzed: hams, a vegan imitation ham, and sausages. The goal was to ensure that the information presented on their labels was accurate. The following were evaluated:
- Health quality
- Net content
- Fat
- Protein
- Humidity
- Ashes or minerals
- Carbohydrates
- Nitrites
- Sodium
- Energy Content
From these aspects, it emerged that eight brands of ham and one vegan imitation brand do not present truthful information on their labels; and at least seven brands of sausages, in the words of Profeco, "attempt to deceive consumers by passing themselves off as ham."
These are the worst supermarket hams, according to Profeco- EL MEXICANO, country turkey ham: has more nitrites than allowed.
- BAFAR VIRGINIA, turkey ham: has less protein than declared.
- FUD, baked leg ham: has less protein than declared.
- AMERICAN BAFAR, turkey and pork ham: has less fat than declared.
- BAFAR LUNCH, turkey and pork ham: has less fat than declared.
- NUTRI DELI, leg ham: has more sodium than declared.
- CHIMEX IBERO BARCELONA, commercial turkey ham: has more sodium than declared.
- ZWAN PREMIUM, Virginia pork and turkey ham: has more sodium than declared.
- BENJI, 100% vegan imitation ham: has less protein than declared and more sodium than declared.
- AURRERA, cooked sausage made from pork and turkey: has less net content than declared.
- BAFAR CLASSIC, cold cuts: it has less fat than declared.
- DUBY, sausage: has less fat than declared.
- GALICIA VIRGINA, cooked meat product: has more sodium than declared.
- GALY GALICIA, cold cuts: it has less fat than declared and more nitrites than permitted.
- KIR CLASSIC, sausage: has more sodium than declared.
- THREE CASTLES, cooked meat sausage: has less protein than declared.
In conclusion, all hams, vegan imitations, and sausages are of good sanitary quality; however, they all have labeling errors, such as not presenting the information visually appropriately in accordance with regulations.
How to choose a good ham?Profeco recommends that, before purchasing ham, sausages, or imitations in supermarkets or convenience stores, you should:
- Make sure you buy the product you want, because in the market you will find products that, in their presentation, may look like ham, but in reality they are not and do not have the same protein content.
- Read the label, check the expiration date, the ingredients, and the nutritional information, especially the sodium content.
- Check the front labeling, because the more seals and labels a product has, the less recommendable it is.
- Avoid breaking the cold chain: these should be the last products to enter the cart and the first to go to the refrigerator.
- Buy them at fixed establishments, so you can be sure they're refrigerated.
You can consult the detailed Quality Study on the official Profeco website . Don't forget to consult your doctor or nutritionist before making any changes to your diet.
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