EFSA Explains Food Safety Risk of Nitrosamines, Opinion Open to Consultation
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently opened its draft opinion on nitrosamines to public consultation. Nitrosamines, some of which are genotoxic and carcinogenic, are chemical compounds that are found in food as the result of preparation and processing.
Nitrosamines can be found in a number of commodities including cured meat products, processed fish, cocoa, beer and other alcoholic beverages, cooked meat, processed vegetables, cereals, milk and dairy products, fermented foods, pickled foods, and spiced foods. Additionally, a 2017 EFSA evaluation of the safety of nitrites and nitrates suggests that nitrites may be linked to the formation of nitrosamines; however, the study did not have sufficient information to link high nitrosamine levels observed in meat to nitrites intentionally added to food.