French Authorities Have Urged Meat Manufacturers To Cut Use Of Nitrites

The Agricultural Ministry has announced that new standards would be included in the industry rules and will constitute the foundation for official inspections of the approximately 300 manufacturers that generate 1.2 million tonnes of goods annually, as reported by industry association Inaporc.

 

The government has indicated it would help the industry adapt its procedures and recipes so that they are more sustainable within the constraints, but has not elaborated any other details so far.

Nitrite compounds have been employed by deli meat manufacturers to prevent the growth of microorganisms, most notably botulism, and extend the shelf life of their goods. Nitrites are also responsible for the pink hue of the products.

However, after an evaluation by the World Health Organization in July 2022 categorised processed meat as hazardous for the human health, the French authorities began developing a strategy to decrease nitrites in the food supply.

The proposal, which has been postponed, aims to lower the quantity of nitrites being used ham by at least 30 % within six to twelve months, and by as much as 25 percent in the most popular deli goods. The nitrite content of fresh sausage rolls has to be decreased by 30% by April and brought down to zero in the following year of project implementation.

On the other hand, French anti-cancer groups Foodwatch and the French League Against Cancer have been pushing for a full prohibition on nitrite additions and have criticised the administration's choice for opting for voluntary reductions instead.

Additives E249, E250, E251 et E252 (potassium nitrite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, and sodium nitrate) are targets of the organisations' calls for their elimination from supermarket shelves.

In response, the government has announced that starting this year, it would implement a research and innovation strategy aimed at the eradication of nitrites in most goods by the end of the five-year target period.

Producers said they are prepared to implement the resolution, but that eliminating nitrites completely is not an option since there are no other ways to guarantee the safety of their merchandise.

 

Source: rfi.fr