Nitrite in processed meat products in Khartoum, Sudan and dietary intake

Theoretical estimation of nitrates and nitrites intake from food additives by the Brazilian population

Sodium and potassium nitrates and nitrites are preservatives widely used in meat products and some cheese. They are important toxicologically but there is a lack of data on the exposure of the Brazilian population to these additives. This study aimed to verify the frequency of the use of nitrates and nitrites in processed foods in Brazil and to estimate their theoretical intake by the Brazilian population. A database was built of supermarket products containing nitrates, nitrites, and antioxidants. The Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (TMDI) and TMDI balanced by the prevalence of food consumption (TMDI BPFC) were determined using consumption data from the Household Budget Surveys (2008/2009 and 2017/2018). The TMDI for nitrates and nitrites was lower than the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for all population groups. Considering the prevalence of food consumption (consumers only), the TMDI BPFC values were lower than the ADI for nitrates (between 0.4 and 0.9 times the ADI) but very high values were obtained for nitrites (between 10 and 24 times the ADI). Our results suggest that the Brazilian population, especially some population groups, may be consuming unsafe amounts of nitrite. As a consequence, their health may be at risk.

Nitrite and nitrate in meat processing: Functions and alternatives

Meat and meat products are important foods in the human diet, but there are concerns about their quality and safety. The discovery of carcinogenic and genotoxic N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) in processed meat products has had serious negative impacts on the meat industry. In order to clarify the relationship between the use of nitrite or nitrate and the safety of meat or meat products, we reviewed NOCs in meat and meat products, the origin and safety implications of NOCs, effects of nitrite and nitrate on meat quality, national regulations, recent publications concerning the using of nitrite and nitrate in meat or meat products, and reduction methods. By comparing and analyzing references, (1) we found antioxidant, flavor improvement and shelf-life extension effects were recently proposed functions of nitrite and nitrate on meat quality, (2) the multiple functions of nitrite and nitrate in meat and meat products couldn't be fully replaced by other food additives at present, (3) we observed that the residual nitrite in raw meat and fried meat products was not well monitored, (4) alternative additives seem to be the most successful methods of replacing nitrite in meat processing, currently. The health risks of consuming processed meat products should be further evaluated, and more effective methods or additives for replacing nitrite or nitrate are needed.

Risk Assessment of Nitrite and Nitrate Intake from Processed Meat Products: Results from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS)

Long-term exposure to a high nitrite and nitrate intake through processed meat is of concern, as it has been related to adverse health effects. Individual consumption data from 2152 participants (46.7% males) in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS) were linked with current Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs) to calculate exposure to nitrite and nitrate from processed meat products (assessed as nitrite equivalent), evaluate potential risk and identify the major contributors. Processed meat intakes were determined by combining data from 24 h recalls and frequency of consumption reported in Food Propensity Questionnaires (FPQs). Median exposure was estimated to be within safe levels for all population groups. However, 6.6% (n = 143) of the consumers exceeded the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of nitrite (0.07 mg/kg bw/day), of which 20.3% were children aged 0-9 years (N = 29) (15.3% of all children participants in the study, N = 190). In total, pork meat was the major contributor (41.5%), followed by turkey meat (32.7%) and sausages (23.8%), although contribution variations were found among age groups. The outcomes are of public health concern, especially exposure among children, and future research is warranted to evaluate possible associations with health effects, by using more refined occurrence data if available.

The Intake of Phosphorus and Nitrites through Meat Products: A Health Risk Assessment of Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia

This study provides the data on dietary exposure of Serbian children to nitrites and phosphorus from meat products by combining individual consumption data with available analytical data of meat products. A total of 2603 and 1900 commercially available meat products were categorized into seven groups and analysed for nitrite and phosphorous content. The highest mean levels of nitrite content, expressed as NaNO2, were found in finely minced cooked sausages (40.25 ± 20.37 mg/kg), followed by canned meat (34.95 ± 22.12 mg/kg) and coarsely minced cooked sausages (32.85 ± 23.25 mg/kg). The EDI (estimated daily intake) of nitrites from meat products, calculated from a National Food Consumption Survey in 576 children aged 1-9 years, indicated that the Serbian children population exceeded the nitrite ADI (acceptable daily intake) proposed by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) in 6.4% of children, with a higher proportion in 1-3-year-old participants. The mean phosphorus concentration varied from 2.71 ± 1.05 g/kg to 6.12 ± 1.33 g/kg in liver sausage and pate and smoked meat products, respectively. The EDI of phosphorus from meat products was far below the ADI proposed by EFSA, indicating that the use of phosphorus additives in Serbian meat products is generally in line with legislation.

Dietary nitrate and nitrite and human health: a narrative review by intake source

Nitrate and nitrite are plant nutrients that, although ubiquitous in plant foods, are highly controversial substances in human nutrition because they are also used as additives in processed foods and may be found as contaminants in drinking water. The aim for this narrative review is to provide a thorough insight into the current literature on the relationship between dietary nitrate and nitrite and the health risks and benefits by source of intake. The results highlight beneficial effects of nitrate and nitrite consumption from plant origin on cardiovascular disease and, to date, no positive correlation has been reported with cancer. On the contrary, high intake of these compounds from processed animal-based foods is related to an increased risk of gastro-intestinal cancer. Nitrate in drinking water also raises some concern, because it appears to be related to adverse health effects. The up-to-date debate on the role of nitrate and nitrite in human nutrition seems to be justified and more research is required to verify safe consumption.

Nitrite, biogenic amines and volatile N-nitrosamines in commercial Chinese traditional fermented fish products

To examine the safety of Chinese traditional fermented fish products (CTFPs) available on the Chinese market, nitrite, nitrate, biogenic amines (BAs) and volatile N-nitrosamines (VNAs) content in 33 commercial CTFPs from different provinces was investigated. The mean content of nitrite and nitrate wase 0.63 and 749.5 mg/kg, respectively. Concerning the occurrence of BAs, the accumulation in all CTFPs samples remained at low levels, whereas only in one sample from Guangxi the histamine content exceeded the critical level (50 mg/kg). In addition, six types of VNAs, including N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosoethylmethylamine, N-nitrosopiperidine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosomorpholine and N-nitrosodiphenylamine, were detected in a high number of samples. The NDMA content in 36.4% of the samples and the total VNAs content in about 63.6% of the samples were unacceptable. Principal component analysis indicated that the accumulation of NDMA and total VNAs was closely related with the content of histamine, tyramine and nitrate.

Residual nitrite in processed meat products in Costa Rica: Method validation, long-term survey and intake estimations

Ingestion of high amounts of nitrite due processed meat consumption could produce negative effects in human health. Here, we investigate long-term residual sodium nitrite content in processed meat products in Costa Rica to provide the first estimations of nitrite daily intake. An extensively validated analytical procedure was applied for the long-term analysis of 1350 samples from 2014 to 2018. Mean residual sodium nitrite concentration was 76.5 mg kg^-1, ranging from < 11 to 278.0 mg kg^-1. Significant differences among product and meat types were found, but no temporal differences were observed. Nitrite daily intake was estimated in 0.0122 ± 0.0039 mg kg^-1 bw^-1 d^-1, which accounts for 17.4% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). This information underlies the importance of studying residual nitrite kinetics in processed meat products as well as establishing long-term programs for the accurate estimation of nitrite daily intake rates.

Nitrite reduction in fermented meat products and its impact on aroma

Fermented meat products are important not only for their sensory characteristics, nutrient content and cultural heritage, but also for their stability and convenience. The aroma of fermented meat products is unique and its formation mechanisms are not completely understood; however, the presence of nitrite and nitrate is essential for the development of cured aroma. The use of nitrite and nitrate as curing agents in meat products is based on its preservation activity. Even though their presence has been associated with several risks due to the formation of nitrosamines, their use is guarantee due to their antimicrobial action against Clostridium botulinum. Recent trends and recommendations by international associations are directed to use nitrite but at the minimum concentration necessary to provide the antimicrobial activity against Clostridium botulinum. This chapter discuss the actual limits of nitrite and nitrite content and their role as curing agents in meat products with special impact on dry fermented products. Regulatory considerations, antimicrobial mechanisms and actual trends regarding nitrite reduction and its effect on sensory and aroma properties are also considered.

Daily intake of nitrate and nitrite via meat and poultry in Egypt

Nitrate and nitrite are the most applied food additives to inhibit microbial growth. The main risk of nitrate and nitrite presence in food is the formation of nitrosamines during food preparation and digestion. However, dietary intake of nitrite and nitrate from food has potential cardiovascular benefits. Accordingly, 160 samples from meat and poultry were randomly collected to evaluate the level of occurrence nitrate and nitrite using an HPLC method and estimate the daily intake (EDI) of Egyptian adults and children. The levels of nitrate and nitrite ranged between 1.3-557 mg/kg and 6-812 mg/kg, respectively. The EDI was compared with the accepted daily intake (ADI) represented in the hazard index (HI) scale. The nitrite results clarify that all HI values were above 1 for all commodities, while for nitrate it exceeded 1 only for canned meat and basturma, when consumed by children.

Nitrate and Nitrites in Foods: Worldwide Regional Distribution in View of Their Risks and Benefits

Nitrate and nitrite ions are used as food additives to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in cured and processed meats. Vegetables contain significant quantities of nitrate and nitrite. Actually, the vast majority of consumed nitrate and nitrite comes from natural vegetables and fruits rather than food additives. For years, the cancer risks of these two ions have been discussed, since they potentially convert into the carcinogenic nitrosamines. However, recently, these two ions have been considered essential nutrients which promote nitric oxide production and consequently help cardiovascular health. It seems that the role of these two ions in our diet is important now from a different point of view. In this review, the nitrate and nitrite contents of food products from different countries are displayed globally in order to reinterpret the risks/benefits of our consumption quotations. This review article is based on Science Citation Index (SCI) articles reported between 2008 and 2018.

Agro-Food Byproducts as a New Source of Natural Food Additives

Nowadays, the agro-food industry generates high amounts of byproducts that may possess added value compounds with high functionality and/or bioactivity. Additionally, consumers' demand for healthier foodstuffs has increased over the last years, and thus the food industry has strived to answer this challenge. Byproducts are generally secondary products derived from primary agro-food production processes and represent an interesting and cheaper source of potentially functional ingredients, such as peptides, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds, thus promoting a circular economy concept. The existing body of work has shown that byproducts and their extracts may be successfully incorporated into foodstuffs, for instance, phenolic compounds from eggplant can be potentially used as a mulfitunctional food additive with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and food colorant properties. As such, the aim of this review is to provide insights into byproducts and their potential as new sources of foodstuffs additives.

An Ultrasound Assessed Extraction Combined with Ion-Pair HPLC Method and Risk Assessment of Nitrite and Nitrate in Cured Meat

An accurate IPC-UV method was developed and validated for the determination of nitrite (NI) and nitrate (NA) in meat products. The best separation was achieved on a phenyl-hexyl column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 3 µm) with a mobile phase composed of 25% acetonitrile and 75% buffer (2 mM disodium hydrogen phosphate and 3 mM tetrabutylammonium bromide, pH = 4). Eluents were monitored at 205 nm. Linearity ranges were 1.86 × 10^-6-7.5 µg·ml^-1 and 0.09-5.0 µg·ml^-1 for NI and NA, respectively. The correlation coefficients were greater than 0.999 for NI and NA. This method was applied to a number of processed meat products in Riyadh (n = 155). NI ranged from 1.78 to 129.69 mg·kg^-1, and NA ranged from 0.76 to 96.64 mg·kg^-1. Results showed extensive use of NI and NA; however, concentrations were within the legal limit of Saudi Arabia except for one sample. Further, the risk assessment and dietary exposure have been estimated for both NI and NA.