Resources
Explore fact sheets, briefs, and reports to learn more about Nitrite Action Network's
efforts to phase out the use of added nitrities in processed meats.
Protect California’s Children: Remove Nitrate- and Nitrite-Cured
Processed Meats from School Meals
California’s school meals should nourish children—not repeatedly expose them to harmful additives in cured processed meats. Access here
Just Two Slices: How Daily Processed Meat Raises Your Cancer Risk
Eating 50 grams of processed meat daily—about two slices of bacon—increases colorectal cancer risk by 18%. Read article
The 'Natural' Label Deception: Why 63% of 'No Nitrates Added' Meats Still Contain Nitrates
Consumer Reports found that over 60% of deli meats labeled 'no nitrates added' still contain sources that form nitrites during processing. Read article
Nitrates and Metabolic Disorders: The Diabetes and Obesity Connection
Emerging research links processed meat consumption and nitrate exposure to increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Read article
Nitrate Contamination in Drinking Water: An Overlooked Health Crisis
Agricultural runoff and industrial pollution have led to dangerous nitrate levels in drinking water across America. Read article
Why Children Are More Vulnerable: Understanding Nitrate Toxicity in Young Bodies
Infants and children are disproportionately vulnerable to nitrate toxicity, from blue baby syndrome to long-term cancer risk accumulation. Read article
How Nitrates in Food Affect Your Heart: Understanding Cardiovascular Risks
Emerging research reveals that dietary nitrates from processed foods may significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions. Read article
The Link Between Processed Meats and Cancer: What the Research Shows
Recent studies reveal alarming connections between nitrate-cured processed meats and various forms of cancer. Read article
Processed Meats: A Proven Carcinogen You Need to Know About
The World Health Organization classifies nitrate-cured processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens—the same category as tobacco and asbestos. Read article
One Sandwich Away from Heart Disease: The Hidden Cardiovascular Risks of Processed Meats
Harvard research shows that just one 50g daily serving of nitrite-cured processed meat increases heart disease risk by 42% and type 2 diabetes by 19%. Read article
The Hidden Danger: How Nitrates Impact Children's Health and Development
Children are particularly vulnerable to nitrate exposure, impacting brain development, immune function, and long-term health outcomes. Read article