Warning over processed meat as EU health chiefs say preservatives used are ... trends now
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Health bosses have issued a fresh warning over cancer-causing chemicals found in bacon and beer.
Society's current level of consumption of nitrosamines 'raises a health concern', EU officials warned today.
The chemicals, known to have been carcinogenic for decades, are not intentionally added to food.
Instead, they form due to a chemical reaction from adding food preservatives such as nitrates or nitrites.
Ten different types have already been detected in foods sold across the continent.
EU health chiefs have warned that cancer causing chemicals produced unintentionally as a result of using preservatives famously used in cure meats are cancerous and pose a 'health concern' (stock image)
Tests have found them in cured meat, processed fish and cocoa, as well as beer.
Other food groups, like processed vegetables, cereals, milk and other dairy products as well as fermented, pickled and spiced foods, could also contain nitrosamines, they said.
Yet The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said the 'most important food group' for nitrosamines exposure was meat.
Nitrates or nitrites are used in processed meat to help increase the shelf-life of cold cuts, and give ham its alluringly tangy taste and fresh, pink hue.
Dr Dieter Schrenk, EFSA's chair of the panel on contaminants in the food chain, said: 'Our assessment concludes for all age groups across the EU population, the level of exposure to nitrosamines in food raises a health concern.'
