Potential for nitrosamine formation in cured meats was first identified in 1971 and their formation can take place only under special conditions where secondary amines are present, nitrite is available to react, near neutral pH is found, and product temperatures reach greater than 130 _C, such as during the frying of bacon. Because of this fact and the growing concerns and controversy over nitrite usage, a series of proposed regulations were submitted, reviewed, and acted upon in the interest of avoiding a complete ban on nitrite. Proposed nitrite regulations in 1975, centered on nitrosamine formation in bacon and resulted in the reduction of added nitrite in bacon from 200 to 125 ppm. Additional petitions to this proposed rule resulted in a 1978 published final rule requiring the use of 120 ppm added nitrite (or equivalent potassium nitrite of 148 ppm), 550 ppm added sodium ascorbate or erythorbate, and the banning of nitrate addition during bacon processing. The rule also included the establishment of a nitrosamine monitoring and regulatory control program. Within one year of the newly developed monitoring program nearly all bacon manufactured
was in compliance with both the regulations and limits specified in the compliance monitoring program. Today, the regulatory controls, and more stringent plant production practices have essentially eliminated all regulatory nitrosamine concerns in meat and
poultry products.