According to the 60 Million Consumers association, all low-cost hams contain nitrites, except one. These preservatives increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
- The 60 Million Consumers association analyzed around a hundred low-cost products, including hams.
- She notes that only one of these hams does not contain nitrites.
- However, these compounds, used as preservatives, are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Watch out for first-price hams! L’association 60 million consumers alert on the poor quality of these cold meats: all the first price hams contain sodium nitrites, except one. However, this compound, used as a preservative, increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
???? Stop the #nitrites in the #hams white first prizes!
While the role of this additive in the development of colorectal cancer is proven, manufacturers use it and do not intend to do without it. Despite the recommendations of the@Anses_frhttps://t.co/q7Lel3IApM pic.twitter.com/KExahSywsw— 60 Million Consumers (@60millions) November 18, 2023
Cheap hams almost all contain nitrites
In its latest issue, 60 Millions de consommateurs publishes an analysis of 110 low-cost foods, sold in different brands. Regarding cold meats, the association notes that all hams sold for less than 16.56 euros per kilo contain sodium nitrites. Only the superior ham with rind from the Monique Ranou brand, marketed by Intermarché, does not include it among its ingredients: it costs 14.58 euros per kilo. For private label hams, nitrite-free products cost on average 21.29 euros per kilo. As for branded nitrite-free products, they can cost up to 31.49 euros per kilo. “If you have a small budget, it is therefore impossible to do without sodium nitrite in hamconcludes 60 Million Consumers. You have to pay 20% more (at E. Leclerc) and even 65% more (at Auchan) to buy a nitrite-free ham from an equivalent private label.”
Nitrites: it is necessary to reduce their presence in our diet
The association believes that distributors do not yet intend to do without these substances, despite the health risks. In a communicated published in 2022, ANSES confirms the existence of an association between the risk of colorectal cancer and exposure to nitrites and/or nitrates, whether ingested through the consumption of processed meat, or via the consumption of drinking water. “The higher the exposure to these compounds, the higher the risk of colorectal cancer in the population.“, she recalls. In France, more than 47,500 new cases were detected in 2023.
“Given current knowledge of their effects on human health, ANSES recommends reducing the population’s exposure to these substances through proactive measures by limiting exposure through food.” According to his estimates, half of the exposure to nitrites comes from the consumption of cold meats.due to the nitrite additives used for their preparation”.
Colorectal cancer: can we do without nitrites?
Nitrites are used to reduce the growth of bacteria in processed meats. For ANSES, it remains possible to reduce their use, by using other means to limit the risk of contamination. “For example, for cooked ham, the reduction of nitrites could be accompanied by a shortening of the use-by date, estimates the agency. For dry-cured ham, this would require strict control of the salt level and temperature during the salting, resting and maturing stages of the product.“ On the other hand, plant extracts used to replace nitrate additives are not considered an alternative because they naturally contain nitrates, which are converted into nitrites under the influence of bacteria.
