what is the reaction of the government?

All is not good in ham. The National Food Safety Agency (ANSES) has confirmed “the existence of an association between the risk of colorectal cancer and exposure to nitrates and nitrites”, in particular via processed meat, in a published opinion. Tuesday July 12 after several months of work

Solutions to guarantee consumer hygiene and safety

The government therefore wants professionals to limit the use of these additives to what is strictly necessary. These preservatives that are found in the list of ingredients under the names 149, 252, 151 and 252. This will not happen overnight. Nitrites are preservatives and manufacturers will have to find solutions to guarantee the hygiene and safety of consumers. Solutions that are often more expensive. For example, to make a cured ham without nitrites, it takes nine months of production, compared to three with additives.

Do not consume more than 150 grams of cold cuts per week

All the players in the different sectors will meet before the end of the month to discuss the measures to be taken to reduce nitrites, assures the government. These discussions will lead to an action plan that will be presented to Parliament in the fall. In the meantime, ANSES recommends not consuming more than 150 grams of charcuterie per week. That’s about four slices of ham. However, the French consume almost twice as much.