The peelable labels on bacon sold in supermarkets may have to undergo changes after the European Union proposed new legislation.

Under the tough new laws, bacon brands would have to alter their packaging if their products contain more than five per cent water, rather than the ten per cent currently permitted in the UK.

The labels would have to be redone to say 'bacon with added water' rather than simply 'bacon'.

Recent tests by Which? on supermarket bacon products discovered that the amount of water varied from three per cent of the total weight to 13 per cent, with cheaper cuts typically containing less pork.

Healthy eating organisations including Sustain welcomed the move, telling the Daily Mail consumers would be "shocked" if they knew how much water was in bacon.

However, the British Retail Consortium claimed shoppers will not enjoy the product if manufacturers had to start taking the water out, as it would be less moist and tender when cooked.

A recent poll by Lowcostholidays.com found that some Britons love bacon so much that they take a pack when they go abroad.

Denny Bros Ltd, 26 July 2011