Morton Tender quick

savagefan

savagefan

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Calgary
Got caught without curing salt the other day, butcher supply store closed and in need of a batch of smokies. Got a bag of this from Safeway and used as per directions, very impressed.
 
I've heard of this product, haven't used it though. prolly works well if used properly. somewhere along the line I remember getting spooked of it, but I just can't remember why or what might happen. got any ideas? cancer causing or?
 
two-dogs said:
I've heard of this product, haven't used it though. prolly works well if used properly. somewhere along the line I remember getting spooked of it, but I just can't remember why or what might happen. got any ideas? cancer causing or?
Click to expand...

I use it occasionally, but it does contain both sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite. (0.5% of each)

The wikipedia entry could have scared you off....

Like sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate forms nitrosamines – human carcinogens known to cause DNA damage and increased cellular degeneration. Studies have shown a link between increased levels of nitrates and increased deaths from certain diseases including Alzheimer's, diabetes mellitus and Parkinson's, possibly through the damaging effect of nitrosamines on DNA.[8] Nitrosamines, formed in cured meats containing sodium nitrate and nitrite, have been linked to gastric cancer and oesophageal cancer.[9] Sodium nitrate and nitrite are associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.[10] World Cancer Research Fund UK,[11] states that one of the reasons that processed meat increases the risk of colon cancer is its content of nitrate. A small amount of the nitrate added to meat as a preservative breaks down into nitrite, in addition to any nitrite that may also be added. The nitrite then reacts with protein-rich foods (such as meat) to produce N-nitroso compounds (NOCs). Some types of NOCs are known to cause cancer. NOCs can be formed either when meat is cured or in the body as meat is digested.
Click to expand...


Of course nitrates also prevent listeria and other spoilage bugs from getting a toe-hold and gives that lovely pink colour to ham and bacon.

It was not a coincidence that maple leafs listeria outbreak came from the sodium reduced line....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom