Sodium or potassium nitrate salts are used as preservatives in processed meats and converted into nitrites to act as bactericides, especially against Clostridium botulinum, and to maintain color and flavor. Nitrite is responsible for the pinkish color in cured and emulsion meats like ham, sausages and hot dogs. Nitrates are naturally found in fresh foods such as spinach, lettuce and beets. Nitrates and nitrites additive use is regulated in water and foods by the FDA and USDA because they are toxic at high levels. They can form nitrosamines during heating, which have been associated with cancer and other health problems. However, nitrites in the body promote blood clotting, regulate blood pressure and boost immune function. This topic discuses the use, benefits, safety and regulations associated with utilizing nitrates and nitrites in food manufacturing.
Eating large amounts of cured meats, such as deli meat, bacon and hot dogs may aggravate symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that can lead to risk of hospitalization, according to a new study published in the European Respiratory Journal. The findings ...More
Maple Leaf Foods announced it is changing product labels on its line of Natural Selections line of deli meat products after a CBC Marketplace investigation revealed the meats contain nitrites, which may be linked to an increased risk in cancer. ...More
The global preservatives market grew an average of 1.3% annually from 2006 to 2010, reaching $1.35 billion in 2010, according to a new market report from Leatherhead Food Research. The report also found the market grew at a slower rate from 2009 to 2010 due to a slowdown in ...More
Many food and beverage manufacturers are revisiting product formulations and cleaning up product labels by replacing ingredients that have become outdated in the eyes of some consumers. ...More
Consuming lots of green leafy vegetables and beet juice that are high in an inorganic nitrate may help reduce the damage to the heart caused by a powerful anti-cancer drug, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. ...More
Older adults who drink a glass of beet juice every day may help slow the progression of dementia because the nitrate-rich beverage has been shown to increase blood flow in the brain, according to a new study published online in Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry. ...More
People who consume large amounts of processed red meats may have increased risk of developing bladder cancer, according to a new study published in the journal Cancer. The results suggested an association between compounds related to cooking and processing, including ...More
Drinking beetroot juice may be a natural approach to reducing cardiovascular disease, according to a new study that found beetroot juice lowered blood pressure within 24 hours in people who took nitrate tablets. The findings were published online in the American Heart ...More
Manufacturers need natural replacements for the synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials that are falling out of favor with consumers. Many natural ingredients act as natural preservatives, but do they provide the same shelf life and safety as synthetics? ...More
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