Starting next year, California may have to give up bacon. Here’s why

California diners may soon have to let go of one of their favourite food items – bacon. Starting next year, new laws on animal welfare proposition will come into effect in the state. The law, which received an overwhelming majority in 2018, demands more space for breeding pigs and egg-laying chickens. While egg producers are confident that they will meet the new standards, only 4% of pig breeders across the nation currently meet the standards, reports AP.

If California then does not allow meat which is from a non-compliant producer, the state could lose all of its pork supply. Most of California’s pork produce comes from Iowa.

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Restaurants and departmental stores in California use nearly 255 million pounds of pork every month, reports AP. But the farms in the state are capable of producing just 45 million pounds a month, according to Rabobank, a global food and agriculture financial services company. The state, therefore, relies heavily on national producers for its pork supply.

For years, animal welfare organisations have been advocating humane treatment of farm animals. But the new California rules could see the consumers paying the price, as the producers will still be able to sell their supply in other states.

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It is highly unlikely that pig breeders will be able to build new facilities, inseminate sows and process the offspring by January. California, which consumes about 15% of the nation’s pork produce, might have to give up the food item in that case.

According to a local media report, if half the pork supply was suddenly lost in California, it would increase bacon prices by 60%, which means a $6 package would be sold at about $9.60. This data was revealed by the Hatamiya Group, a consulting firm hired by opponents of the state proposition.