A thoughtful person next to a plate of ham. — In Spain, ham remains an essential food | Getty Images, Raul_Mellado, Dean Drobot

Camara — In Spain, ham remains an essential food | Getty Images, Raul_Mellado, Dean Drobot

Neither Lidl nor Mercadona: These Are the 5 Worst Ham Brands at the Supermarket, According to the OCU

The OCU has revealed which hams are of the worst quality that you can find in the supermarket

11/04/2025 11:22:00h

Aida Cristòfol

Do You Eat Ham Often? Then This Will Interest You. Iberian Ham Is One of the Most Representative Products of Spanish Gastronomy, a Classic That Is Always Present on Tables During Celebrations.

Its Consumption Has Been Present Throughout the Centuries. Nowadays, It Remains One of the Most Valued Delicacies Both by Spaniards and by Tourists Visiting the Country.

Montage with a person with a cart in the aisle of a supermarket and a circle with several slices of Iberian ham on a table

The Next Time You Go to Buy Ham, Keep These Recommendations in Mind | Getty Images, Getty Images Pro

It's No Wonder, Since Iberian Ham Is a Symbol of Quality, Tradition, and an Unmistakable Flavor. However, With So Many Options Available in Supermarkets, Choosing the Best Ham Can Be Complicated.

That's Why the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) Has Conducted an Analysis of 33 Samples of Sliced Iberian Ham From Cebo and Bellota. Thus, It Has Revealed Which Are the Worst Brands We Can Find on the Shelves.

The 5 Worst Ham Brands in the Supermarket, According to the OCU

The Worst Ham in the Supermarket, According to the OCU, Is the Legado Ibérico Selección Jamón de Cebo Ibérico 50% Raza Ibérica. This Product Has Received a Score of Only 41 Points Out of 100, Which Places It Directly in the Low-Quality Category.

A woman with a surprised expression in a supermarket, with a circle showing slices of ham.

The OCU has made it clear that not all hams meet the standards | DAPA Images, Getty Images, mamadela, Piman Khrutmuang's Images

Despite Its "Iberian" Designation, Both Its Iberian Breed and the Quality of Its Composition Have Left Much to Be Desired. The OCU Experts Haven't Hesitated to Rate It as the Lowest in the Comparison.

Another That Hasn't Convinced the OCU Is the Auchan Controlled Production Jamón de Bellota Ibérico 50% Raza Ibérica, From Alcampo's Store Brand. It Has Only Obtained a Score of 51 Points Out of 100.

This Ham, Although Better Rated Than the Previous One, Is Still of Average Quality. The OCU Highlights That the Quality of Its Composition Hasn't Met Expectations, Despite Being a Bellota Product.

A thoughtful man with his hand on his chin looks at a plate of ham with question marks around it.

Some Brands Receive a Poor Grade for Their Ingredients and Manufacturing Processes | vill.design, Josfor de Getty Images, Syda Productions

On the Other Hand, the Carrefour Jamón de Cebo Ibérico 50% Raza Ibérica Hasn't Fared Well in This Analysis Either, With a Score of 56 Points Out of 100. Experts Have Pointed Out That the Lowest Parameters Have Been the Quality of the Iberian Breed and the Product's Composition. Although, in This Case, the Ham Has Stood Out for the Use of Preservatives, Which Hasn't Been Well Rated by the OCU.

The Supreme de Antaño Jamón de Cebo Ibérico 50% Raza Ibérica Has Been Another Product That Has Disappointed in This Analysis, With 57 Points Out of 100. Although It Hasn't Been the Worst in Composition or Iberian Breed, Experts Have Highlighted Its High Tasting Score, Indicating That Its Flavor Is Acceptable. However, It Hasn't Reached a Sufficient Level to Be Among the Best.

Finally, the Azuaga Jamón de Cebo Ibérico 50% Raza Ibérica Cortado a Cuchillo Has Achieved 59 Points Out of 100, Placing It in the Last Places of the Ranking. Despite Its Iberian Breed Being Positively Rated, It Has Been Surpassed by Other Products in Tasting and the Use of Preservatives. The OCU Has Also Indicated That This Ham Hasn't Fully Convinced.

➡️ Consumer Affairs