Sodium nitrite is used as a food preservative and is generally thought to be safe is small amounts. The health concern arises from the possible nucleophillic reaction that sodium nitrite can undergo with biological molecules such as DNA and enzymes. However, it is thought to be toxic only at excessive levels. Studies have been done to show its relative safety.
It can be dangerous in high doses. Consequently, the food industry tightly regulates how much of the chemical is added to food and adds other compounds to reduce its effects.
Sodium nitrite is added to various types of meats to promote the red color and to provide better taste, but in some studies sodium nitrite can cause cancer.
NaNO2, or sodium nitrite, is used as a color fixative and preservative in meats and fish. Thus, it is EXTREMELY dangerous. Google up sodium nitrite poisoning. Anything that/has/to/do/with/nitrites/is/usually/dangerous.
posted by Anonymous
My question is this they say its danger comes from cooking or heating what happens if you eat these products cold have yet to see a study on the effects of eating after all cold cuts?????????????? add a comment
