what are “nitrite-free” industrial hams worth?

The “Behind our Labels” section of the 13 hours of France is interested, Wednesday September 14, 2022, in the boom of ham without nitrite. It has become a selling point on supermarket shelves. Nitrite is an additive that keeps the ham’s pink color, but is also considered dangerous to health. So consuming without nitrite, is it really a plus and necessary?

Béatrice de Reynal, a nutritionist, regrets the industrial process: “On the ingredient list, there are no nitrite salts. So I’m happy. But the problem is that they put plant extracts which are very rich in nitrates. During the process, there will be a creation of nitrite.And to conclude:There are no nitrite salts in the recipe, but on your plate there will be.” Nutritionists recommend eating two slices of processed ham per week. Rely on its color: the grayer it is, the less nitrite it contains.