OUR NITRITE-FREE COMMITMENT
Published on August 1, 2022On the 12th of July, the ANSES, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety) published a report that highlights a link between the risk of colon cancer and the consumption of nitrites. Since 3 years André Bazin has been working towards the suppression or limitation of this additive.
What are nitrites, these controversial additives found in charcuterie?
Found in about 75% of charcuterie products, nitrites and nitrates (E249: potassium nitrite, E250: sodium nitrite, E252: potassium nitrate) are the subject of the latest report from the ANSES mentioning a link between their consumption and colon cancer. Nitrites are present in food, in particular in meat-based products like cooked ham, lardons, sausages and cooked sausages.
What are nitrites used for and why are they harmful to health?
For the meat-based products, nitrates and nitrites are mainly used as additives for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and also for their effect on the colour of the products. Indeed, nitrates and nitrites addition is aimed at limiting the growth of bacteria responsible for diseases such as Salmonellosis, Listeriosis, or Botulism. As really good preservatives, they can also increase product’s shelf-life by limiting rancidity and increasing the product’s taste and visual stability.
According to ANSES, nitrites, as unstable compounds if in excess, generate the formation of nitrosated compounds in the digestive tract, particularly when consuming meat-based products. These nitrosated compounds are now known for their genotoxic and carcinogenic nature.
ANSES continues its research in this field and will engage with charcuterie manufacturers for them to restrict their use.
What is the solution suggested by André Bazin for the withdrawal of nitrites?
Our company has been working since 2019 towards reducing and substituting nitrites. Several hundred hours of research have been needed to successfully substitute these additives in our products while retaining the sanitary, organoleptic, and technical qualities of our products.
It has also been necessary to rethink our working methods, equipment, and production organisation to provide consumers with a healthy and natural product.
Despite the work of our teams in providing taste and quality concerning our products, the withdrawal of salts with nitrites still bring along significant changes in habits: reduced shelf life, a duller product colour, and increased technical production.
Through this work, all our range is now available with nitrite-free salt:
Cooked ham, Breast and Lardons, Bacon, Poultry, Beef, sausages and Chorizo.
It is a commitment that André Bazin Company teams are proud of, and today consumers can rediscover the authentic taste of healthy and natural charcuterie.
Source:
>Revised review and ANSES report regarding the risks linked with the consumption of nitrites and nitrates (July 2022).
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