On June 27, 2023, the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) narrowly voted against a proposal to lower the maximum permitted limits for the food additives sodium and potassium nitrites (E 249-250) and sodium and potassium nitrates (E 251-252) because the proposed limits did not go far enough. Instead, a motion has been proposed that would ban the use of nitrites and nitrates in the EU following a four-year phase out period.

Nitrates and nitrites are widely used as preservatives in cured meat products such as bacon, ham, cold cuts, charcuterie, and some cheeses. Those in favor of a reduction and not a ban argued that nitrate/nitrite-free products are more expensive and therefore less accessible to some consumers.  In contrast, those in favor of a total ban cited the health concerns raised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)’s January 2023 risk assessment on N-nitrosamines in food. N-nitrosamines are reaction products of nitrates and nitrites in certain food processing conditions. Many N-nitrosamines are genotoxic and carcinogenic and are associated with increased incidence of colorectal cancer.  However, the report also highlighted many uncertainties, including the levels at which N-nitrosamines are found in food products. 

The use of nitrates and nitrites as food additives has been restricted in certain EU member states such as in Denmark.  In the United States, nitrates are subject to a number of clearances, subject to certain limitations.  See e.g.  9 CFR 424.21(c) and 21 CFR 172.160, 172.170, and 172.175.