A group of leading scientists and politicians has formed a pan-European coalition to combat the use of nitrites in processed meats. The launch follows years of mounting evidence that the chemicals, which are used as preservatives for color, flavor, and shelf life, pose a significant cancer risk. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified processed meats as a Group One carcinogen — the same classification as tobacco — and attributed 34,000 global cancer deaths a year to diets high in processed meats. Nitrites can form nitrosamines during digestion and high-heat cooking.
