Nitrite is considered as a multifunctional food additive in meat curing. Several studies have indicated that nitrite intake should be limited owing to its potential carcinogenic effect in humans. In contrast some studies have elucidated the beneficial effect of nitrite on human health the consumer demand for natural or nitrite-free meat products remains high
Hence, the challenge for the meat industry is to search for effective strategies to reducing the residual nitrite in cured meat and to search for better alternatives for nitrite for the preparation of uncured/naturally cured meat products
Emerging technologies such as HHP and several plant-based extracts, microbial sources, and organic acids can be effectively used in processed meats as nitrite alternatives