The terms “Uncured” and “No Nitrate or Nitrite Added” shouldn’t be allowed to be used on labels for meat processed with nitrates or nitrites from natural ingredients, such as celery powder, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and Consumer Reports told the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wednesday.
The groups urged the agency to revise its rule because the labels are misleading and may give consumers the false impression that these products are healthier.
Tests of deli meats by Consumer Reports show the labels are misleading. Consumer Reports tested 31 packaged deli meats – name brands and store brands – including chicken, ham, roast beef, salami, and turkey.
It’s tests showed that nitrates and nitrites, which have been linked to cancer, are found in processed meats labeled “Uncured” or “No Nitrates or Nitrites Added” at similar levels to those prepared with synthetic curing agents such as sodium nitrite.
“The ‘Uncured’ and ‘No Nitrate or Nitrite Added’ labels could make people think these meats are healthier, but our tests show they are not,” said Charlotte Vallaeys, senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports. “Deli meats carrying these labels pose the same health risks as traditionally cured meats because the nitrate and nitrite levels are essentially the same.”
While the nitrate and nitrite levels found in Consumer Reports’ tests fall below government limits for meat, labeling such products as “No Nitrate or Nitrite Added*” misleads consumers trying to avoid these substances, Vallaeys said.
The label on these meats also includes a statement “*Except those that are naturally occurring in [name of ingredient that is a source of nitrates or nitrites],” but that information is usually buried in fine print and doesn’t explain that those compounds are chemically identical to synthetic ones.
“Federal rules need to be updated to avoid misleading consumers,” said Sarah Sorscher, deputy director of regulatory affairs at CSPI. “The USDA should end the confusion and help consumers make healthier choices by requiring accurate labeling of meats processed with nitrate and nitrite, regardless of the source.”
The groups are petitioning the USDA to revise its rules so that the “Uncured” and “No Nitrate or Nitrite Added” claims can only be made on meats prepared with no nitrates or nitrites from any source.
They want the agency to require a disclosure stating “Nitrates or Nitrites Added,” with the source indicated in the ingredient list so consumers can take steps to protect their health. They’re also asking the USDA to take steps to minimize levels of residual nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamines in meat processed with nitrates or nitrites, regardless of source.
“Curing” meat involves the addition of salt, nitrate, and/or nitrite to fresh-cut meats, which enables preservation by removing moisture and gives meat its distinct color, texture, and flavor.
Synthetic nitrites have been used since at least the 1920s to speed up the curing process. However, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it became clear that nitrate and nitrite could result in the formation of nitrosamines, some of which have been shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies.
In the 1990s, companies began developing new ways to cure meats with celery or other natural nitrate/nitrite sources. Federal labeling rules require the new processed meats to display the term “Uncured” and the statement “No Nitrate or Nitrite Added,” because they don’t use synthetic curing agents, such as sodium nitrite.
Many health-conscious consumers want to purchase meats prepared without the use of nitrates and nitrites. Consumer Reports conducted a telephone survey of 1,000 U.S. adults in April 2019.
The survey asked Americans who eat deli meats if they usually try to buy ones labeled as “no nitrates added.” Forty-six percent said they look for this label when purchasing deli meats.
Consumer Reports also asked respondents what best describes their thoughts about the current “no nitrates added” label using the fine print stating that only naturally occurring nitrates are used.
Forty-two percent of Americans said they’d be confused about if or what type of nitrates are added in deli meats with this label.
