Potassium Nitrite
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What it is
Potassium nitrite is a white crystalline powder. It is the potassium salt of nitrous acid. It is often produced by reacting potassium nitrate with a reducing agent.
Why it's used
Potassium nitrite is used as a preservative and color fixative in cured meats like pepperoni and salami. It helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and gives cured meats their characteristic pink or red color.
Health notes
Potassium nitrite is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in cured meats. It is also approved as a food additive. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated potassium nitrite. Concerns have been raised about the potential formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic, when nitrites are heated to high temperatures or react with amines in the body. However, regulatory bodies consider the risk to be low at typical consumption levels.
Allergen info
Potassium nitrite is not derived from any of the 9 major allergens. It does not contain gluten.