Applegate launches first sugar-free bacon

You may not have even known there was sugar in your bacon, but Applegate has gone ahead and removed the ingredient for you.

Applegate, a leader in natural and organic meats, launched its first sugar-free bacon product Tuesday. The company, owned by Austin-based Hormel Foods Corp., prides itself on making "worry free" meats, and its new Applegate Naturals No Sugar Bacon allay one more concern for ingredient-conscious consumers.

"With a growing demand for sugar-free options, we're excited to deliver a bacon that supports the needs of those looking to reduce their sugar intake, while upholding Applegate values-making products with humanely raised meats and simple ingredients," said Nicole Glenn, Applegate's vice president of marketing, in a release.

The product caters to consumers' growing disdain for sugary, processed foods. The company cites a recent survey that found 65 percent of adults want to reduce or avoid sugar in their diet.

Applegate was a pioneer in the organic meat segment, gaining national distribution and the attention of more traditional meatpackers. Hormel bought Applegate in 2015 for a hefty $775 million, giving the maker of Spam a foothold in the fast-growing natural-meats market. Applegate products can now be found throughout the refrigerated and frozen food sections of the grocery store, selling an array of items from deli meats to cheese to breakfast sausage.

The new sugar-free (and gluten-free and casein-free) bacon will be available at select retailers, including Hy-Vee, beginning this month.