Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS), Mortensen A, Aguilar F, Crebelli R, Di Domenico A, Dusemund B, Frutos MJ, Galtier P, Gott D, Gundert-Remy U, Lambré C, Leblanc JC, Lindtner O, Moldeus P, Mosesso P, Oskarsson A, Parent-Massin D, Stankovic I, Waalkens-Berendsen I, Woutersen RA, Wright M, van den Brandt P, Fortes C, Merino L, Toldrà F, Arcella D, Christodoulidou A, Cortinas Abrahantes J, Barrucci F, Garcia A, Pizzo F, Battacchi D, Younes M. Re-evaluation of potassium nitrite (E 249) and sodium nitrite (E 250) as food additives. EFSA J. 2017 Jun 15;15(6):e04786. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4786.

Abstract.  In epidemiological studies there was some evidence to link (i) dietary nitrite and gastric cancers and (ii) the combination of nitrite plus nitrate from processed meat and colorectal cancers. There was evidence to link preformed NDMA and colorectal cancers.

Sadowska J, Kuchlewska M. Effect of diet composition and mixture of selected food additives on the erythrocytic system and iron metabolism in peripheral blood of male rats. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2011 Oct-Dec;10(4):497-506.

Abstract. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of diet composition and selected food additives on the erythrocyte system and iron metabolism in peripheral blood of male rats.

 Sarıkaya R, Cakır S. Genotoxicity testing of four food preservatives and their combinations in the Drosophila wing spot test. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2005 Nov;20(3):424-30. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2005.05.002. 

Abstract. Chemicals used were ranked as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate according to their genotoxic and toxic effects. Moreover, the genotoxic and toxic effects produced by the combined treatments were considerably increased, especially when the four chemicals were mixed. The present study shows that correct administration of food preservatives/additives may have a significant effect on human health.

Prival MJ, Simmon VF, Mortelmans KE. Bacterial mutagenicity testing of 49 food ingredients gives very few positive results. Mutat Res. 1991 Aug;260(4):321-9. doi: 10.1016/0165-1218(91)90017-g.

Abstract. The other two substances causing increases in revertant counts (hydrogen peroxide and potassium nitrite) were mutagenic. 

Til HP, Falke HE, Kuper CF, Willems MI. Evaluation of the oral toxicity of potassium nitrite in a 13-week drinking-water study in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 1988 Oct;26(10):851-9. doi: 10.1016/0278-6915(88)90026-9.

Abstract. A subchronic oral toxicity study with potassium nitrite (KNO2) was carried out in rats.

Meier-Bratschi A, Lutz WK, Schlatter C. Methylation of liver DNA of rat and mouse by N-nitrosodimethylamine formed in vivo from dimethylamine and nitrite. Food Chem Toxicol. 1983 Jun;21(3):285-9. doi: 10.1016/0278-6915(83)90062-5.

Abstract. The extent of formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the stomachs of rats and mice after simultaneous oral administration of [14C]dimethylamine and potassium nitrite was determined by measuring the methylation of liver DNA.