Nitrites and nitrates, the new EU Regulation has been adopted which reduces the limits

The European Commission has approved a new Regulation that reduces the limits for the use of nitrites and nitrates as food additives by approximately 20% .

Nitrates (indicated by the acronyms E251 and E252) and nitrites (E249 and E250) are used in the preparation of most cured meats, because they protect against pathogenic bacteria and help maintain the pink color.
But inside the human body , nitrites can transform into nitrosamines, considered carcinogenic.

The new limits, explains the European Commission, guarantee the antibacterial effect but reduce the risks regarding the second aspect.

"By setting new limits for nitrites and nitrate additives in food, we are taking another step towards food safety - said Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakidese - taking an important action under the plan against cancer in Europe. I invite the food industry to quickly apply the new rules".

Food operators will now have two years to adapt production to these new limits.

EU REGULATION 2023/2108 OF THE COMMISSION of 6 October 2023 amending Annex II of EC Regulation 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the Annex of EU Regulation 231/2012 of the Commission as regards nitrite food additives (E249 -250) and nitrates (E251-252) →
(Source: https://www.foodandtec.com/ )