Nitrite in hamburgers in Arak, Iran.

Nitrite and nitrate are used as additives in meat products to provide colour, taste and protection against micro-organisms, but excessive use of these substances can be toxic and can cause carcinogenesis in man. Natural and organic foods are not permitted to use chemical preservatives, the traditional curing agents used for cured meats, and so nitrate and/or nitrite cannot be added to hamburgers. This study aimed to measure nitrite in hamburgers sold in Arak city, in the centre of Iran, in 2011. For this purpose, 105 samples were randomly selected and analysed according to Official AOAC Method 973. The residual nitrite in the samples was 30-100 mg/kg (p < 0.001). In 85.7% of the samples, presence of nitrite was demonstrated, which suggests unfavourable production conditions and poor sodium nitrite standards at hamburger factories.