SMITHFIELD, Va. – Smithfield Packing is rolling out an innovative package design it claims is new to the retail bacon category. Smithfield PouchPack Naturally Hickory Smoked Bacon is now available in Hometown Original flavor. Retail price for a 12-oz package of two pouches is competitive with the 12- and 16-oz bacon category and varies depending on the retailer.

Smithfield PouchPack is the only bacon package to offer two stay-fresh pouches each containing approximately six slices of uncooked, stacked bacon, the company said. Because the pouches are perforated for easy separation allowing consumers the flexibility of choosing how much bacon to cook at one time, the bacon saved for later stays fresh, sealed in the pouch for the next occasion.


Regarding convenience, the Smithfield PouchPack has additional advantages over typical bacon packaging. Each pouch has an E-Z Peel opening that requires no scissors and gives the consumer easy, mess-free access to the bacon. Plus, the bacon in the pouch is stacked so slices peel apart more easily. Allowing consumers to cook only a few slices at a time creates quick preparation even on weekday mornings.

On average, consumers are serving one to two people at an occasion with a serving size of one to three slices of bacon each, Smithfield’s consumer research reveals. Most typical bacon packaging yields 16 slices or more in a package, leaving the average consumer with leftover bacon. Research further indicated 75 percent of consumers had leftover bacon after a cooking occasion.

Since the Smithfield PouchPack separates into two stay-fresh pouches with approximately six slices each, the PouchPack eliminates leftovers that typically go bad and are wasted. The PouchPack can also help maintain portion control by eliminating the desire to cook an entire package at one time to eliminate waste.

“Smithfield is listening to consumers and improving our products and packaging to meet their needs,” said Will Brunt, vice president of marketing for Smithfield Packing Company Inc. “We are proud to be the first company to take such a large step forward to please the bacon consumer. The Smithfield PouchPack is the next generation of bacon packaging.”

According to a recent report by The NPD Group, Inc., 43 percent of adults reported eating smaller portions in the past year while 57 percent plan to eat smaller portions in the next year. The report also revealed younger generations place portion control at a higher importance than older generations, illustrating a long-term significance of portion control to consumers.