Update on the use of nitrites as food additives – Health aspects

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has regularly asked the DTU National Food Institute (DTU food) to evaluate new relevant information in regard to the Institute’s risk assessments on the use of nitrite in processed meat. This latest assessment was delivered on the 17th august 2020 (DTU DOC nr. 20/1004228). In January 2023 The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration asked the DTU food to re-evaluate this assessment given updated exposure data and new scientific findings, notable the release of EFSA’s opinion on N-nitrosamines in food (EFSA, 2023). This assessment was delivered on the 30th of March. This memo is a slightly updated version.