Why are nitrates and nitrites used in meat products?
• To give cured meat such as ham, bacon, and hot dogs their pink color • To prevent the growth of bacteria that can lead to food-borne illnesses such as Botulism • To preserve products so they can have a longer shelf-life. • To provide the distinctive cured flavor that we’re accustomed to in ham, bacon, and hot dogs. Back to top Do Applegate Farms products contain nitrates and nitrites? Applegate Farms does not add sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate to our meat products in order to cure them. Instead, we rely on the naturally occurring nitrites derived from celery juice and sea salt. Using salt to preserve meat is a technique that was discovered by the ancient Greeks as early as 850 BC! Although it wasn’t until the start of the 20th century that scientists understood the role of nitrites in the curing process. Products cured this way do retain low levels of naturally derived nitrites. Back to top Why do Applegate Farms products say that they are “uncured”? The USDA defines an uncured pro
