CSPI petitioned FSIS to amend its labeling regulations to prohibit the statements “No Nitrate or Nitrite Added” and “Uncured” on meat products that have been processed using any sources of nitrates or nitrites, including non-synthetic sources.

Consumers have decided that they want clean-label products, with easy-to-pronounce, recognizable ingredients. They want nitrite-free, nitrate-free, GMO-free, allergen-free products.

As a meat processor, it’s not only important to know what you are doing, but also why you are doing it and how it works. Every ingredient added to a food product is done so for a specific purpose.

Drought stress and high nitrate levels in a cow’s forage ration can trigger early calving, stillbirths and abortions.