Are we truly safe when it comes to the processed meats we eat? The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently under fire, and it's all about how they're handling the safety of nitrites in our favorite processed foods. Let's dive in.
Today's news stems from a critical article published in New Food magazine. Professors Chris Elliott and Brian Green, members of the Coalition Against Nitrites, are questioning the FSA's recent review of nitrates and nitrites. They argue that the FSA's review, labeled as a "rapid review," didn't go deep enough and lacked the transparency of similar evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
They're concerned that the FSA's approach might be downplaying the potential health risks associated with nitrites. But here's where it gets controversial: this could potentially erode public trust in how food safety is regulated.
So, how did the FSA respond? Professor Rick Mumford, the Acting Chief Scientific Adviser at the FSA, defended the review. He stated that it was independently scrutinized and accurately reflects the current scientific understanding of the issue. Mumford emphasized that the review focused on human studies and new scientific findings published since EFSA's work on nitrates between 2017 and 2023.
He further explained that the review was part of the FSA's ongoing work on food chain hazards and risks. It was vetted by the independent Committee on Toxicity (COT) and conducted by a team of experienced scientists. Mumford highlighted that nitrates and nitrites are naturally occurring in our diets and that there are already clear maximum levels for them as additives. The FSA's review, he said, thoroughly examined the available evidence, including international assessments, and its conclusions reflect the current scientific consensus.
And this is the part most people miss: the FSA believes there's no evidence that removing nitrates or nitrites makes processed meat safer. Their advice is straightforward: to reduce health risks, limit your consumption of all processed meats. The FSA also supports NHS guidance, which recommends that people who eat more than 90g of red or processed meat per day reduce their intake to 70g.
Want to dig deeper? You can find the minutes from the Committee on Toxicity (COT) meeting, where this review was presented and discussed, on the FSA website under Item 6 of the session held on March 25, 2025.
What do you think? Do you believe the FSA's review was thorough enough, or do you share the concerns raised by Professors Elliott and Green? Is the current advice clear and effective, or does it need a revamp? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
