It's pretty obvious that lunch meat is not a regular occurrence around here, BUT I do like to pack it for my kids on occasion - just to switch things up! And it seems every time I do, readers ask me what kind of lunchmeat I bought. So today's post has all the details!
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As with just about any of the meat we eat, when locally raised is not an option I definitely go for organic. That's why I love that our sponsor, Applegate, offers an organic lunch meat option.
When Applegate approached me about being on their Advisory Board this year, it made complete sense since I was already buying and talking about their products before I even had a relationship with them! And the reason why is because when you purchase Applegate Organic products you can be assured they are...
- From humanely raised animals on family farms,
- From animals fed non-GMO feed,
- Free of artificial ingredients,
- Free of added nitrites and nitrates,
- Free of preservatives,
- Antibiotic-free.
And all of that is so important to us!
The great thing is though, even when I can't find organic (if I'm in a real pinch) at least I know their natural product is lightyears above all the conventional options - almost completely up to the standards of their organic options.
Yesterday I shared some school lunch ideas on our local Charlotte Today show, and when my store was out of Applegate organic ham (and I'd already planned one whole lunch around ham) I got the next best thing, their natural version!
So I know many of you will be excited with the newest thing Applegate is up to with their natural lunch meats. We all know how I feel about Lunchables and how much I promote making them yourself!
But in the event your child is just begging you for the "packaged" version (that happens with us sometimes when it comes to mac and cheese - what's so exciting about a box anyway?) you'll want to check out Applegate's new Half Time product, a natural and organic pre-packaged lunch kit.
They sent us some to try and my children acted like it was Christmas LOL. While these products don't fully live up to our real food rules, I would feel much more comfortable offering these on a rare special occasion than the original version!
Again, I'm most definitely an advocate of just making your own "Lunchables" at home, but if your kid suddenly needs to get a packaged lunch out of their system look for these at Target and other national retailers by mid-August!
Julzc says
I love Applegate lunchmeats. However, since starting this I'm more aware of my food labels and noticed most if not all lunchmeats contain Carageenan. Have you found any lunchmeats that don't contain it (and doesn't contain sugar additives)?
Julzc says
I should have read all the posts before me first. Looks like several people questioned about Carageenan.
Simone says
Just adding another vote to the plea: Applegate, please remove the carageenan from the poultry products. This is the reason I do not buy your products (I am not interested in ham).
For some reason both Lisa and Applegate always seem to ignore the comments about carageenan. This isn't the first post on this blog this has come up in the comments. I would love to get a straight answer on this.
Why is carageenan needed in the poultry products, but not in the ham? Why can other companies do without it? Why hasn't Applegate replied properly to any of the carageenan questions, here and also on their own website? Otherwise they seem like an engaged company striving to supply the best product they can.
Namastemama says
As stated before in this very post! Carrageenan is a binding agent. Look at a whole chicken. Where would you slice to make a product like lunch meat ? The breast. How many slices could you get? What do those slices look like? In order to use an entire chicken it would have to be mechanically separated, bonded together and then sliced. It's lunch meat! By it's very nature a processed food! If you don't want binders or preservatives of any sort then don't eat lunch meat. Applegate is simply trying to fill a demand. Lisa turned a passion into a job. Yes, she has sponsors. How do you think the bills get paid? She is transparent and I applaud her efforts to get Americans to understand labels and the food they consume. Americans eat really crappy food, and many need baby steps. Applegate can be a step in the right direction. I personally buy my chickens straight from the farmer the day of harvest. Until everyone is willing to spend the time and money to do that then an organic processed product is a step in the right direction.
Jeanne Michaud says
I sure wish you could convince them to take the carrageenan out of their poultry. We eat the ham but I try to get the Organic Prairie turkey - they have no carrageenan.
Marjorie says
Applegate is a staple in our house. We don't eat much luncheon meat, and we mostly try to eat leftover meat from dinners, etc. But in a pinch, Applegate is our go-to.
Critical Reader says
Dear Lisa, could you please explain why you are promoting a product that is banned in 28 countries? Meats cured with nitrates/nitrites from celery powder and alike are banned in the European Union.
I recently stumbled over a piece of writing from European Food Regulators and it explained the following:
1. There is not much natural about the "natural" nitrate sources. Celery, Beet etc. are pre-treated to result in powders/extracts that contain about 25 % nitrate.
2. Advertising those meats as "uncured" and "no nitrate added" is considered in Europe misleading labeling.
3. Highly tempered celery extracts/powders with up to 25 % nitrate are considered a food additive (preservative) in Europe. Food additives need to go through a regulatory process before they are allowed to be used.
The same is true for "rosemary extract" which is used in some of Applegate's products. Rosemary extract is an antioxidant produced from rosemary by extraction with acetone, ethanol, hexane/ethanol or supercritical co2. It has no flavoring components. In Europe it is considered a food additive, needs to be labeled as "antioxidant" and carries an E-number (E 392).
I don't have a problem with curing meats using nitrates - whether by the straight chemical or its "natural" cousins. But I have a problem with claiming that the "naturally" cured meats are better than the others. I therefore would like to ask Applegate's and its Advisory Board the following:
1. Could you provide any evidence in support of your claim that meats cured with "natural" nitrate is better than meats cured with "artificial" nitrates?
2. How natural is your celery powder? Could you provide a flow chart of celery powder production? How much nitrate/nitrite does your celery powder contain?
3.Is rosemary extract used as a flavoring or antioxidant? How was it produced?
Lisa says
Critical Reader - I think some of your concerns need to be taken up with the USDA. Did you know that their label laws prohibit companies from stating certain things on the label – according to their rules, only products made with a chemical sodium nitrate can be labeled “cured.†Applegate has actually filed petitions with them in the past asking that they update this label law and allow them to be more clear for our customers.
While Applegate doesn't claim that there are health benefits to naturally derived nitrates they (like me) feel that ingredients derived from plants are better than ingredients made in a purely chemical process. So they use vegetable-based curing agents such as celery and beet powders rather than the chemical sodium nitrate. They test the products for residual nitrates and they are all below 40 parts per million. They also use rosemary extract as a flavor.
Applegate tries to provide as much information as possible so everyone can make their own decision on if their product is right for them.
christina says
our family also looks for Kosher organic when we do eat meat.
did i miss where you discuss lunch boxes that include a thermos
for hot liquids, please?
thanks
Mimi says
Agree that if you have some sway now tell them to get the carrageanan OUT. Thanks for your website!
Mamabear says
You do know they recalled Applegate chicken because they found pieces of plastic in them , right ? So much for organic ...
Momomommy says
Here's the thing. You think by being on the board you can actually make positive changes? Please elaborate on what changes have actually been made on products due to your critique? If none, than you have just given the green light on many products you otherwise might not have and all because they have "tricked" you into believing that you will actually make a difference. I am with the other readers. Go back o the way it was before the paid advertisements as articles.
Lisa says
Momomommy - Big companies like Applegate cannot make changes overnight. They have a board because they want our feedback for future decisions.
Ursula says
I love your blog! I am also a mom blogger who likes to cook homemade meals with fresh ingredients. Applegate is also my choice of lunch meat!
Blake Casares says
Out of all the brands and lunch meats available, this is my go-to for the kids. The sausages are also delicious, just pricey!
Joanne Bernard says
Once financial ties to a food manufacturer are declared, objectivity and credibility are lost.
Lisa says
Joanne - I will always disclose sponsors when that is the case.
Andrea says
I would like to purchase their hot dogs as well, but the skin is too tough for 1 1/2 year olds. Have to scrap out the middle and it's a bit of a pain.
lisa says
I used to really enjoy your blog before you got all of the endorsements. I realize that everyone needs to make money, but your conflict of interest really shows when you tout products that you wouldn't let your family eat, like the lunchables. And you say yourself, that you rarely eat lunch meat. You know that it is highly processed no matter what brand or how organic. Disappointing that you have an entire blog post encouraging people to buy a particular brand of something that you know is not something people should eaten often. Makes it hard for me to trust anything that you mention on your blog since you obviously have a conflict of interest going on.
DeAnne says
I agree with you! I used to love this site (and still enjoy some of the recipes) but I do not like the product endorsement blogs. :-(
Maribeth says
I'm sorry to say, I agree. I know you can never trust everything you read on the internet (particularly from a single site), but this used to be my go-to source, and I'm sad to say I'm now in search of another. There have simply been too many incidences of misinformation (the egg yolk color myth still irks me, though I never commented) or misrepresentation of "real food". So this is it. I'm out.
I know you will get negative feedback here and there about any choice you make, and I also understand the need to support your family and expand your horizons. But please, please remember that sitting up there in your introduction is the statement that this blog is about "cutting out processed food." Stand up for what you believe and don't be afraid to turn down a sponsor who doesn't match your beliefs or blog philosophy. Perhaps it will encourage more companies to create real food alternatives. Please come back to keeping it real! (Cliche intended.)
Lisa says
Lisa - I do appreciate your feedback, but the fact of the matter is my family does eat Applegate products. We like their bacon, ham, and hot dogs. While they are not an everyday occurrence I find them to be the best option for those products. We often seek out sponsors for products I am already buying and talking about because it is a natural fit. And readers ask me all the time about lunch meat so this post made sense to answer that question. If I am doing my best to be as honest and transparent as possible and still lose readers as a result I guess there is not much I can do about it (unfortunately).
Holly says
For folks in Canada, it's not organic, but there are a couple natural lunch meat options. They use celery to cure. Not sure about the carageenan. And I personally don't think just because something is ground it is processed. That's my opinion. Thanks for all you do, Lisa!
Stephanie says
It seems I am not the only one that is concerned about the carregeenan in these meats. Are they even necessary? I stopped buying this product because of that and grill my own turkey etc.
Megan Renaud says
I was told that Applegate Farms is owned by Purdue; is this accurate? If so, it is disappointing to hear this.
Lisa says
That is not accurate - they share a processing facility. There is unfortunately a lot of misinformation out there: http://www.applegate.com/product-alert
Donna Gioello says
I was very excited to learn about Applegate Farms natural lunch meat products, however, upon further investigation I noticed that carageenan is in their turkey & chicken products. That disappointed me greatly! I wrote to them about it but it's still used in those products. Fortunately I can enjoy their otherwise fine options.
Janelle @ MommyLivesClean says
I agree with you Donna! That is why I will not purchase Applegate Turkey or Chicken either. I do buy the pepperoni and salami on occasion for my son's lunches. :)
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Gail medaris says
Can you ask Applegate why they put carrageenan in their turkey lunch meat! It is even in the organic option!
JL says
The Trader Joe's Uncured Black Forest ham lists the ingredients as:
Pork, Water, Vinegar, Kosher Salt, Turbinado Sugar, Molasses, Celery Powder and Spice Extractives. No nitrates or nitrites added. I'm learning here, so I'm wondering what "hidden" ingredients could be in this list. Hopefully not carageenan. And I know the ham is not organic, but we do lunch meat in moderation, too. As school gets ready to start again, they will get it a little more than they did this summer, but again, I'm learning :) Lastly, on the Nutrition Facts label, the sugar is only 1g per serving.
Jennifer says
Celery powder has nitrates/nitrites. All of these "uncured" "natural" deli meats contain or may contain more nitrates than regular deli meet because of the celery powder used instead. It's all a big marketing ploy! https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/well/eat/is-eating-deli-meats-really-that-bad-for-you.html
Elle says
Have you seen the whole roasted turkey breasts at whole foods that they will slice into lunch meat at the prepared food counter? It is actual roasted turkey, not processed lunch meat. And you can bring your own container to save on waste! That gets my vote.
Shawna says
Of all the lunch meats available why would they choose such a highly processed one as bologna? Even if your ingredients are natural or organic, bologna is still bologna: "a finely ground pork sausage containing cubes of lard, originally from the Italian city of Bologna... the U.S. Government regulations require American bologna to be finely ground and without visible pieces of lard."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_sausage]
Melanie says
I love that I've recently found Applegate's version of "lil smokies." My husband likes making jalapeno poppers with these, jalapenos, cream cheese, and (Applegate) bacon. I don't have to feel quite so bad about eating them (or pigs in blankets) now!
RLR says
I'm glad to see a healthier option! I can (and have) made the cutesy lunches with the cutout shapes, "theme" lunches, etc. It's apparently not the same... My kids still ask to have a pre-packaged lunch, but I cannot feed that junk to them! I think these will be a great option for field trip days, where kids are asked to bring "throw away" lunches.
Rachel says
I've been using Applegate products but was dismayed to read that their chicken was sourced by Perdue, which came out when the chicken was recalled. What's the point of paying a premium if it's sourced by the big factory farm brands I'm trying to avoid? What are your thoughts on that, since you endorse this brand?
Lisa says
Rachel - It's actually not sourced from Perdue - they share a facility. There is unfortunately a lot of misinformation going around and here are the details: http://www.applegate.com/product-alert
Joan says
I don't really like the accurate information that is out there either. Mmmm. Chicken nuggets with tiny shards of plastic.
kelly says
Applegate turkey contains carrageenan!
Lisa says
The ham does not, which is what we usually buy.
Leann says
I have found an uncured lunchmeat ham at Aldi recently. It has very similar ingredients except I don't recall any type of sweetener at all listed unlike the honey and cane sugar in this one. It is much cheaper but it is not organic. I rarely buy lunch meat, but have gotten it a couple times. But am never sure if it is truly better.
heidi says
Do you know of stores in Canada that sell products such as Applegate offers? thx
Emily Farrier says
I was disappointed to learn that the Applegate turkey has carrageenan in it. I've had better luck with Diestel farms...have you taken a look at that one?
HeatherTaylor says
Where do you purchase Diestel farm products. My son can not have carrageenan.
Emily Farrier says
We get it at a store here in So Cal called Lazy Acres, but its parent store is Bristol Farms...I would think a lot of health food stores would carry it!
Cece says
I have been buying Applegate, but are you aware of this
http://myfox8.com/2014/08/13/15000-pounds-of-chicken-nuggets-recalled-may-contain-plastic/
Cristee Kinstle says
I do use their ham. I wish the turkey and other products didn't have Carageenan. 😞
Joy says
We love the Applegate hot dogs around here but have yet to try the lunch meat. I was one of those kids who always wanted a Lunchables but never got one, so I'm glad to see a company I support coming out with a better option!
reb says
We buy Earth Fare lunch meat with no carrageenan! They slice it fresh, so nothing added to keep it from spoiling like even the organic versions- Applegate, etc.
K says
I'm curious why you are willing to put the food in plastic containers. Have you thought about stainless steel like PlanetBox?
Lisa says
K - We have a Planetbox and Lunchbots (both stainless steel) and use those in combination with the pictured BPA-free plastic one. The plastic one is the lightest weight for my daughters to carry in their already heavy backpack and most all the containers we use at home are glass so I don't stress myself about it.
Sara says
Lisa, part of what I love about your site is you accept and acknowledge that this is real life. I think people get so consumed with things to avoid that they sometimes forget to live. If the treats I have here and there shorten my lifespan, then good riddance. I will have lived a fulfilling life.
Lisa says
Thank you Sara - I appreciate that :)
Shelley says
I love this blog- but I also find it a little depressing, because I am Canadian and we do not have Applegate in Canada. I have no idea how to go about finding organic lunch meat,or pepperoni or all the other great things you list here. I want to do so many of the things on your blog but I feel like I can't. I work full time and have limited options as I live in a smaller northern Ontario town. you need soooo much extra time to cook like this. It's really a shame that eating "real foods" is this difficult! I'm making a lot of changes- but I just don't feel like it's enough.
jules @ Less Sugar Naturally says
Shelley, if you're in Ontario McLean has a couple good choices. Ingredients: Roast beef rubbed with sea salt and black pepper
pork slices: Pork, water, sea salt, honey
http://mcleanmeats.com/mclean-sliced-black-forest-pork
http://mcleanmeats.com/mclean-sliced-roast-beef
Unfortunately, their chicken and turkey products have the carageenan.
Anyways, I get mine sliced at a European deli. It does go bad after two days which is a good thing I guess. It never stays around that long in my house though. Maybe you can find out if they're somewhere in your area.
moet says
I feel the same way about their turkey but i buy their bacon, salami, hot dogs & turkey bologna.
Jana says
Do you realize what carrageenan is? Read the Applegate labels then do your research! Carrageenan causes inflammation and cancer in the body. Rethink what you're exposing your children to please! I'm worried for them. If it were real food they wouldn't add carrageenan!!!
aconcernedmom says
Do you know what else causes cancer? coffee, gasoline exhaust, bubble bath cell phones alcohol the list is indefinite. I bet you at the very least drive a car. Point being she said its a RARE occasion she gives her children lunch meat. You should do research yourself. Btw carrageenan has only been PROVEN to cause cancer in rats.
Jana says
There was NO need for your reply!
Mom of a daughter with cancer says
Jana-- i do believe that what "a concerned mom" was referring to is this. That you can do the very best and feed your family and children the very best of foods, fruits, veggies and all organic. But sometimes in the end, cancer just happens. It's not unavoidable in children. There is no research that shows that for our children with cancer that it was caused by anything they did or ate. The cause is unknown. And it does suck. September is childhood cancer month. Spread the awareness. Spend more time becoming educated in this horrible disease and how our children are affected and how little research is being spent for our kids. I know this first hand since the diagnosis of my 15 year old daughter with cancer.
Lisa says
Jana - The organic ham (what I normally buy) does not contain carrageenan. It is only in some of their products - not all.
Critical Reader says
Kraft responded to your petition about removing artificial dyes from Mac and Cheese that not all of their products contain dyes and that you please go for the dye-free version if you are concerned. You did not accept that response, but suggest the same for Applegate's meats. Double standards?!
Lisa says
Criticial Reader - If comparing Kraft to Applegate were comparing apples to apples then we could maybe have this conversation. But the fact of the matter is Kraft's product w/o the dyes is still total crap. That is not the case with Applegate.
Kim Bleasdale says
I love Applegate ham and buy it regularly! However, I am not crazy about the fact that they put carrageenan in their turkey. I won't buy it for that reason. When they take it out if their products, I will buy the turkey too.
Jana says
Agree!
Lisa says
The great thing is they are reading this post and your comments so our voices are being heard! :)
Liz says
I too avoid the Applegate turkey because of the carrageenan…wish it wasn't in there, the Applegate chicken doesn't have it in the ingredient list.
Sandi says
The chicken does have carageenan, looked at the label at Whole Foods yesterday. :(
Amber says
I have been waiting for Organic 'lunchables'....for some reason no matter how I present my own home made ones, they just aren't the same to my kids! I hope they will be available at the stores I shop at!
Lisa says
That's exactly why I wanted to share - my girlfriend had the same exact issue with her son. He just wouldn't stop asking until he got to try a "packaged" version!
Katy says
These do look good, although I'm not crazy about the inclusion of fruit snacks. And I'm guessing the crackers aren't whole-grain, or it seems like they would have mentioned it...? But still, definitely an improvement.
Lisa says
Katy - I agree and part of what I love about being on their Advisory Board is that I was able to give them that exact feedback already!