Latest news with #CoalitionAgainstNitrites
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Ham and bacon sold in Tesco and M&S found to contain cancer-causing chemicals
Ham and bacon sold in UK supermarkets still contain cancer-causing chemicals almost 10 years after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned about the dangers of using it in processed meats. Supermarkets including Tesco and Marks & Spenser have been found to sell meats containing nitrite, according to a recent study that found all 21 products tested in a laboratory contained the chemical. Wiltshire ham was found to have the highest concentrations of nitrites, according to analysis that compared it to cooked ham and unsmoked bacon. Almost 33 milligrams of nitrites per kilogram was found in Tesco's Wiltshire ham. That's 11 times that amount in its cooked ham (2.88mg/kg) and almost four times the in its unsmoked bacon (8.64mg/kg). It was also almost 18 times the found in Morrisons's bacon (1.84mg/kg). Wiltshire ham products sold by M&S contained 28.6 mg/kg, at Sainsbury's 21.1mg/kg and Morrisons 19.2mg/kg - which are all considered to be high levels. But at Asda the Wiltshire ham contained lower levels at 8mg/kg. However, the analysis, commissioned by the Coalition Against Nitrites and undertaken by Food Science Fusion and the laboratory experts Rejuvetech, found the levels of nitrites in all 21 products were well below the 150mg/kg legal limit. Eating processed meat, such as ham, bacon and sausages which contain nitrites increases the risk of bowel cancer according to health experts. Cancer Research UK estimates about 13 per cent of the 44,100 cases of bowel cancer diagnosed each year in the UK are linked to eating processed meat. In 2015, the World Health Organisation classified processed meat as carcinogenic, based on the evidence that it causes cancer. Nitrites are a crucial ingredient in meat curing, they provide colour, flavour and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. But there are now alternatives available that are less harmful. Ruth Dolby, Food Science Fusion Director, told the Independent: 'The levels of Nitrites are moving down, but they are not being 100 per cent removed.' 'Nitrites were originally used as the most effective preservatives from a food safety perspective. There are legal upper limits, but no legal lower limits. 'Food Science research and understanding has taken great leaps in the last 20 years, we now know that there are alternative, natural, equally effective ingredients that have less negative impact on the human body and the environment, especially the water courses.' Wiltshire ham in particular contains high levels of the chemical because during the productions process the pork is injected with nitrates and soaked in a bath of brine and nitrites. This gives it its red colour and prevent the growth of bacteria. At that point a chemical reaction occurs, which turns nitrates into nitrites. A spokesperson for the Coalition Against Nitrites, told the Guardian: 'It's nearly a full decade since the WHO classified nitrite-cured processed meats as a group one carcinogen, and it is disappointing and alarming that we continue to see products on sale containing high levels of nitrites.' They added: 'Consumers are increasingly aware of the dangers of nitrites in processed meats, yet they continue to be exposed to their risks.' Tesco's has said its Wiltshire ham contains levels of nitrites significantly lower than the legal limits allowed in the UK and EU. A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We follow all UK and EU requirements, alongside guidance from the UK Food Standards Agency, to ensure we get the right balance of improving the shelf life and safety of our products with limited use of additives. The nitrites levels in all of our products, including our traditionally cured Finest Wiltshire ham, fall significantly below the legal limits in the UK and EU. 'We work closely with our suppliers to make sure that all additives including nitrites are only used when necessary and we are committed to clear labelling for all our products so customers can check product ingredients lists to see which products contain additives such as nitrites. 'Nitrates and nitrites are an important part of the curing process for some meats and they are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause serious food poisoning.' Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the BRC, said:'Food safety is paramount to our members and they implement strict policies with their suppliers to ensure all products comply with UK food legislation. Additives such as nitrites are controlled, and their use is regularly monitored by the food safety authorities' M&S, Sainsbury's and Asda have all been approached for a comment.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Ham sold in UK found to contain carcinogens 10 years after WHO warning
Ham and bacon sold by supermarkets including Tesco, and Marks and Spencer still contain cancer-causing chemicals almost 10 years after the World Health Organization warned about the dangers of their use in processed meats. Wiltshire ham is the product with the highest concentrations of nitrites, according to analysis that compared it to cooked ham and unsmoked bacon. All of the 21 products tested in a laboratory were found to contain nitrites, which are used to preserve meat, despite the WHO in October 2015 declaring them to be unsafe. Tesco's Wiltshire ham contained the most nitrites – almost 33 milligrams per kilogram. That was 11 times the 2.88mg/kg in its cooked ham and almost four times the 8.64mg/kg in its unsmoked bacon. And it was also almost 18 times the 1.84mg/kg found in Morrisons's bacon. Other Wiltshire ham products, including those sold by M&S (28.6 mg/kg), Sainsbury's (21.1mg/kg) and Morrisons (19.2mg/kg) also contained relatively high levels, although Asda's version only had 8mg/kg. Food campaigners, who want nitrites banned, said the findings were 'alarming'. Cancer charities said the widespread use of nitrites showed that people should eat as little processed meat as possible, such as ham, bacon and sausages, because consumption increases the risk of bowel cancer. Cancer Research UK estimates that 13% of the 44,100 cases of the disease diagnosed each year in Britain are linked to processed meat. The analysis was commissioned by the Coalition Against Nitrites and undertaken by Food Science Fusion, an independent company, and the laboratory experts Rejuvetech. However, it found the levels of nitrites in all 21 products were well below the 150mg/kg legal limit. A spokesperson for the Coalition Against Nitrites, which includes food safety experts, medical specialists and politicians from most of the UK's major parties, said: 'It's nearly a full decade since the WHO classified nitrite-cured processed meats as a group one carcinogen and it is disappointing and alarming that we continue to see products on sale containing high levels of nitrites.' They added: 'Consumers are increasingly aware of the dangers of nitrites in processed meats, yet they continue to be exposed to their risks.' Wiltshire ham contains such high levels of nitrites because during the production process the pork is injected with nitrates, as also happens with cooked ham. However, Wiltshire ham is then soaked in a bath of brine and nitrites, to give it its red colour and protect it from deadly bacteria. At that point a chemical reaction occurs, which turns nitrates into nitrites. Prof Chris Elliott, the food safety expert who led the government-ordered investigation into the 2013 horsemeat scandal, said the research confirmed that nitrites remained 'unnecessarily high in certain UK meat products'. He added: 'Given the mounting scientific evidence of their cancer risk, we must prioritise safer alternatives and take urgent action to remove these dangerous chemicals from our diets.' Several food firms, including Finnebrogue and Waitrose, have responded to mounting concern about nitrites by producing bacon that is free of them. Dr Rachel Orritt, Cancer Research UK's health information manager, said: 'Eating processed meat increases the risk of bowel cancer. Nitrites … can lead to cell damage, which is one of the ways that processed meat is linked to bowel cancer. The less processed meat you eat, the lower your risk of bowel cancer.' Dr Giota Mitrou, the director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, said it recommended 'eating as little, if any, processed meat as possible'. A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We follow all UK and EU requirements, alongside guidance from the UK Food Standards Agency, to ensure we get the right balance of improving the shelf life and safety of our products with limited use of additives. 'The nitrites levels in all of our products, including our traditionally cured Finest Wiltshire ham, fall significantly below the legal limits in the UK and EU. 'Nitrates and nitrites are an important part of the curing process for some meats and they are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause serious food poisoning.' Andrew Opie, the director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents supermarkets, said: 'Food safety is paramount to our members and they implement strict policies with their suppliers to ensure all products comply with UK food legislation.'
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Fear UK consumers are more exposed to cancer-causing food because of Brexit
Fears have been raised that Brexit has left British consumers more exposed to food that can give them cancer because the UK has failed to keep up with EU standards since leaving the bloc. Hopes are high that if Keir Starmer agrees to align the UK to EU rules and regulations in his Brexit reset deal to be unveiled on Monday, then the exposure to carcinogenic nitrites in bacon and ham can be removed. But the concerns are reflected in a new J.L Partners poll that not only revealed more than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Brits fear the UK is falling behind European food standards but the worries are shared by even 55 per cent of pro-Brexit 2024 Reform voters. Stricter EU rules limiting the amount of nitrites permitted in bacon and ham come into force in October - but the UK is currently permitting higher levels of the carcinogenic chemicals in its processed meat. The issue has been taken up by a group of the world's leading scientists, who have joined representatives from seven political parties, including a former UK health minister, to call for carcinogenic nitrites to be removed from processed meats. In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified processed meats as a Group One carcinogen - the same classification as tobacco - and attributed an estimated 34,000 global colorectal cancer deaths a year to diets high in processed meats. The Coalition Against Nitrites, a new non-profit organisation, launched this week with the backing of three former WHO scientists, a Harvard professor, and the UK's top food safety expert. Experts backing the campaign include Professor Paolo Vineis from Imperial College London, Professor Denis Corpet from Toulouse University and Professor Robert Turesky from the University of Minnesota. Other scientific supporters include Professor Walter Willett of Harvard University, who is widely regarded as the world's most influential nutritionist, and Professor Chris Elliott, who founded the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast and led the UK Government's investigation into the 2013 horse meat scandal. Political supporters of the campaign include Conservative ex-health minister Lord Bethell, Labour's former shadow health minister Sharon Hodgson MP, DUP health spokesman Jim Shannon MP, former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett, former Deputy Mayor of London Baroness Jones, and the former leader of the SDLP, Baroness Ritchie. Professor Chris Elliott said: 'The UK's departure from the EU has meant we have slipped behind European food standards. The addition of nitrites to processed meats is a major example of what has happened. 'While the EU has sought to protect its consumers with better food safety rules, the UK has dithered, leaving British consumers at greater risk. It is essential the UK keeps pace with the EU's improving food safety rules for the sake of public health.' Professor Walter Willet from the Harvard School of Public Health, added: 'It is time for governments globally to step in and ban the use of these chemicals - or for food producers to make the right decision for human health and remove these dangerous chemicals themselves from their products.' The UK Food Standards Agency has previously claimed that nitrites are 'essential' to protect against botulism. It states: 'Nitrites and nitrates (E 249 – E 252) are used in certain cheeses and processed meats such as bacon, ham, corned beef and other cured meats to help keep it looking red and to aid the development of the 'cured' flavour. However, their main role is to reduce the growth of harmful microorganisms in particular clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can be life threatening.' However, the EU has recently tightened regulations on the use of nitrites as food additives in processed meats, lowering the levels at which they are legally permitted to be added. Food businesses have been granted a two-year period to adapt to these new limits, with the regulations becoming fully applicable from October 2025. The French government has already acknowledged the health risks associated with nitrites in processed meats and has initiated measures to reduce their usage. In March 2023, it unveiled an action plan aiming for an immediate reduction of nitrite additives in deli meats by approximately 20 per cent. Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, a former shadow health minister, said: 'Knowing what we know today about the health risks of added nitrites, it's time for a serious conversation about the safety of our food.'
