Meat Products: Nitrates

Question

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) works with the food industry to ensure that nitrites and nitrates are used at the lowest possible levels to achieve the intended technological function, without jeopardising the safety of food. Maximum legal limits for nitrates have been determined based on scientific evaluation and are monitored through risk-based compliance checks. There are no plans to ban the use of nitrates in the preservation of processed foods and meats. The FSA will seek independent scientific advice whenever new credible scientific studies on this issue emerges. It will consider this information with the existing body of evidence and consider if any further action on authorised food additives is necessary.