Use of nitrates and nitrites as food additives in Nordic countries

An account is given of the presently permitted use of nitrates and nitrites as food additives in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Nitrate permitted to be added to milk for the production of solid, semisolid and mould cheeses at levels of 150-200 mg/l potassium nitrate. Due to the potential formation of especially nonvolatile N-nitroso compounds, attempts are made to reduce their use. Nitrates, but not nitrites, are still permitted in certain semipreserved fish products (herring) in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, but it will probably be phased out within a few years. Nitrates are not permitted in meat products in Norway and Sweden, while the use is being reduced in Denmark and Finland. The use of nitrite (175-200 mg/kg meat product of sodium nitrite) is generally permitted as a preservative in meat products in Sweden, Finland and Denmark, while it is more restricted in Norway. Due the potential risk of formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in the meat and in the organism of the consumer serious attempts are made to reduce the use of all Nordic countries.