Nitrites-often listed as "sodium nitrite" on package labels - are preservatives primarily used to cure meats.

Nitrites are found in including ham, bacon, lunch meats, bologna, frankfurters, meat spreads, some smoke-cured fishes, and corned beef.

When the protein in meat (amines) interacts with the nitrite, cancer-causing compounds called nitrosamines are formed.

Meal Genius does not endorse products containing nitrites. 

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