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Sodium Nitrate(E251)

Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources

Sodium Nitrate is a preservative — Curing agent for meats

What it does

Curing agent for meats

Where you'll see it

cured meats

What the research says

Can be converted to nitrites, which can form carcinogenic nitrosamines [metabolical] Dietary nitrate is reduced to nitrite by oral and gut bacteria, then forms carcinogenic nitrosamines and nitrosoureas in the alimentary tract. Independently linked to colon cancer. Acts via oxidative stress, DNA damage, and epigenetic alteration.

Regulatory status

  • US FDA: ASP
  • EU: approved
  • Notes: Can form nitrosamines

Sources

  • Metabolical (Lustig) — Chapter 12; Chapter 20: nitrates in processed meat are a known risk factor for colon cancer… In 2010, the WHO declared nitrates as probable human carcinogens
  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): see Nitrate