Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure the reduction of added nitrates in bacon and ham; and if he will make a statement.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) works with the food industry to ensure that nitrites and nitrates are used at the lowest possible levels to achieve its technological function without affecting the safety of the food.

The maximum legal limits for nitrates are based on scientific evaluation and monitored through risk-based compliance checks. There are no plans to reduce the levels of nitrates in processed pork products. The FSA will seek independent scientific advice should new credible studies on nitrates emerge in addition to existing evidence, to determine whether further action on authorised food additives is necessary.