A recent Discovery+ episode from How It’s Made revealed the lengthy and detailed process behind pre-cooked bacon, leaving viewers disgusted and questioning their love for the breakfast staple. The process begins with large pork belly pieces, which are softened in a tumbler, and their skin is sliced off to be turned into pork rinds. The pork is then injected with a curing liquid, including salt, water, and liquid smoke, through a stabbing motion. The meat is hung on metal racks and subjected to a “drench cabinet,” where it’s blasted with liquid smoke for flavor and color.

Next, the bacon is slowly cooked in an oven for five hours, cooled in a freezer, and stored for a few days to firm up. Once ready, it’s trimmed at a sizing station, passed through a metal detector, and sliced into bacon strips. These strips are then cooked in a “browning microwave” to allow fat to drain off before being inspected for quality. Approved pieces are packaged and distributed.

The behind-the-scenes footage left many viewers repulsed, with some pledging to go vegan after witnessing the process, while others expressed their disgust over the skin removal and overall treatment of the meat.