In June 2017, as part of the European Food Safety Authority ("EFSA") reevaluation program of all food additives authorized in the European Union before 2009, the EFSA reassessed the safety of food additives nitrites and nitrates, confirming the previously set acceptable daily intakes ("ADIs") are sufficiently protective of public health.
The ADI for nitrates is 3.7 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day ("mg/kg bw/day"), and the ADI for nitrites is 0.06 and 0.07 mg/kg bw/day. Sodium and potassium salts of nitrite and nitrate (E 249-252) are used in meat, fish, and cheese products to hinder microbial growth, as well as to keep meat red and enhance its flavor. Nitrate is also found naturally in high concentrations in certain vegetables, and it can enter the food chain as an environmental contaminant, mainly in water.
With respect to nitrates, EFSA experts estimated that consumer exposure solely from food additives was less than 5 percent of the overall exposure to nitrate in food and did not exceed the safety levels. However, if all sources of dietary nitrate were considered (food additive, natural presence in foods, and environmental contaminants), the safe level may be exceeded for individuals of all age groups with medium to high exposure. With respect to nitrites used as food additives, experts estimated exposure to be within safe levels for all population groups, except for highly exposed children, who might slightly exceed the ADI. Exposure from all dietary sources may exceed the ADI for infants, toddlers, and children with medium exposure, and for highly exposed individuals of all age groups. The EFSA therefore recommended conducting further studies and collecting additional epidemiological evidence in humans, as well as better data on exposure to nitrites/nitrates from other food sources than additives (including from contaminants in vegetables), in order to refine future risk assessments.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
