>Nitrite (NO2-)
Sodium nitrite is the active curing ingredient for meat curing. This is a highly reactive chemical that reacts with meat to produce nitric oxide (NO) replaces the oxygen molecule in the meat pigment structure (heme) yielding the typical cured "pink" color when the meat product is heated. Nitrite also functions for meat flavor, helps provide microbial stability and acts as a potent antioxidant. Because of the highly reactive nature and toxicity of the nitrite, it is usually first combined with a portion of the salt prior to meat addition and should never be added to anything other than salt prior to the addition to the meat .