In the future, new, stricter limits for nitrites and nitrates in food will apply in the EU. In the fight against cancer, the European Commission has decided on reduced limits for the use of these food additives.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides on Friday called on the food industry to “quickly implement these science-based regulations and, where possible, further reduce limits to protect citizens’ health.”
Nitrate and nitrite are used in food processing, for example to preserve products by heating them. This can result in nitrosamines. The new, significantly reduced limit values protect against pathogenic bacteria such as listeria, salmonella or clostridia. They reduce exposure to nitrosamines, some of which are carcinogenic.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), nitrosamines have been found in several types of food, such as cured meats, processed fish, cocoa, beer and other alcoholic beverages. Meat and meat products therefore constitute the “main food group” that contributes to nitrosamine exposure.
The food industry has two years
The 27 EU member states unanimously approved the new limit values this spring. Food companies now have two years to implement the new limits.
Source: Krone
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