Sodium nitrite is considered a food additive. It's often used in cured and smoked meats, as well as pickling brines. It's one of the main ingredients used to preserve the flavor and freshness of these types of products. While there isn't any scientific evidence that sodium nitrite is a carcinogen in humans, there's some belief that this additive can cause cancer.
Sodium Nitrite
According to the University of Minnesota, sodium nitrite is an ingredient used in the curing process of meat. It's said to delay the development of bacteria responsible for botulism, a food-borne condition caused by toxins produced by the pathogen Clostridium botulinum. It also adds and preserves flavor and provides color to the meat.
Types
Most meats labeled as smoked or cured contain sodium nitrite, including bacon, ham, hot dogs and corned beef. Sodium Nitrate may also be found in some smoked turkey, chicken or other fowl. Nitrite is found naturally occurring in spinach, cabbage, celery, beets and radishes, notes the University of Minnesota.
Alternatives
Although the American Meat Institute, a national trade association for meat and poultry packers and processors, maintains that sodium nitrite is essential to the curing process, there are alternatives available. Vegetable juices can be used to provide similar results in cured meats. Some vegetables contain nitrate, which converts to nitrite when exposed to food-borne bacteria. This help to preserve the meat and to add flavor and color.
Dangers
Although sodium consumption can lead to high blood pressure, nitrite is though to increase your risk of cancer. Sodium nitrite can produce something known as nitrosamines when it comes into contact with the amines found in protein, advises the University of Minnesota. Nitrosamines have been shown to cause cancer in animals and are considered a definite potential hazard to human health. The amount needed to actually cause health problems is great, making it unclear whether or not the levels found in cured meat are harmful. The American Meat Institute claims that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers the amount of sodium nitrite used in cured meat safe.
Considerations
Though scientific evidence is lacking, small children and women who are pregnant may want to avoid products containing sodium nitrite, explains The Learning Channel. Weighing on the side of caution is sometimes the best option. Plus, there are plenty of other foods that do not contain sodium nitrate.
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