'Aldi Bacon Conspiracy' is Trending—Here's Why

Aldi bacon conspiracy

Whether you’re shopping at Aldi for meal prep ingredients or are just there for the amazing weekly Aldi Finds, there are plenty of great deals at Aldi. But there’s one rumor going around that has some consumers considering an about-face with the discount supermarket chain.

Believe it or not, the rumor is about the store's bacon, with online theories saying the breakfast meat is lab-grown. Say it ain’t so, Aldi!

Even the Associated Press had to issue a fact-check report about this pork-related problem. So, is there substance to the Aldi bacon conspiracy, or is it merely online speculation? Let’s unpack what this story is about and what you need to know.

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What's the Aldi Bacon Conspiracy?

The Aldi bacon conspiracy suggests deceptive practices regarding the quality and sourcing of their bacon. Of course, a rumor began online (then spread) with someone posting a screenshot of Aldi’s Appleton Farms bacon package, accusing them of selling bacon that doesn’t come from pigs, but rather lab-grown cells. Here’s one social media post excerpt:

“Nasty lab grown "meat". For those who have Aldi’s. Aldi’s customers: If you shop at Aldi you need to know that store brand bacon is not from pig it’s from a growing CELL. Appleton Meats. Appleton Meats is currently a privately funded company exploring multiple cellular agricultural methods for growing ground beef, chicken, and mouse-meat cat treats.”

Related: The Best Things to Buy at Aldi, According to Fans

Is This Rumor Fact or Fiction?

We're happy to say that this rumor is fiction. The confusion comes from the similarity of two brand names. Appleton Farms is Aldi’s private-label brand for pork products, while Appleton Meats is a privately funded bioengineering company from Canada that produces lab-cultivated meats. Based on social media comments, most consumers didn’t fall for this falsehood and quickly pointed out the difference in company names.

Related: 9 Aldi-Brand Products That Are Better Than 'The Real Thing’

What’s the Final Verdict for Consumers?

Aldi’s Appleton Farms is real bacon. Since the rumors are false, you may resume buying and eating bacon from Aldi. While you’re at it, browse these 70 bacon recipes and learn how to tell if bacon has gone bad. And don’t forget your quarter the next time you shop at Aldi!

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