Beech-Nut bacon was a pre-sliced, packaged bacon product produced by the Beech-Nut Packing Company, which was founded in 1899. It is associated with one of the first instances of a public relations-led modification of mass consumer dining habits, leading to the American habit of consuming bacon with breakfast.
The Beech-Nut Packing Corporation produced numerous products including candy, jam, and coffee, but wished to increase their sales of bacon. They engaged Edward Bernays, a nephew of Sigmund Freud, and an innovator in the emerging field of public relations, to market their product. Mr. Bernays manufactured a press release in which 4500 physicians were prompted to agree with a statement that a "larger meal in the morning would be better for people’s health," and suggested that bacon was an excellent way to boost calories in the morning.