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N-nitroso compounds formed from nitrites in processed meat make it carcinogenic.
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CONTESTED PARTIAL
Recorded sources
7 sources for · 2 against
Is it true that N-nitroso compounds formed from nitrites in processed meat make it carcinogenic?
Partly. Several sources indicate N-nitroso compounds form from nitrites in cured meat and are carcinogenic in animals, and one official review says nitrosamine formation could explain the processed-meat/bowel-cancer link, but it notes no single component is identified as the cause. Other sources report low measured NOC levels in cured meats and state no evidence supports a processed-meat/cancer connection, so the evidence only partially covers the claim.
Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 7 sources for, 2 against · Last checked
Evidence for · 7
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Nitroso. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroso
Evidence against · 2
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Lopez, V., Aubry, L., Bourillon, S., Guéraud, F., Pierre, F., & Santé-Lhoutellier, V. (2026). Evaluating exposure to nitrites, nitrates, and N-nitroso-compounds in French processed meats: Health implications and mitigation strategies. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6889395
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More for · 6
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Processed meat and colorectal cancer: a review of epidemiologic and experimental evidence.. (2008). hal.science. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635580701684872
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衛生化学領域におけるN-ニトロソ化合物. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1248/jhs1956.22.245
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Abstract A97: Dietary nitrosamines, genetic variation in DNA repair and metabolism genes, and bladder cancer risk in the Los Angeles Bladder Cancer Study. (2012). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1158/1940-6207.prev-12-a97
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G., v. B. S., Karen, M., & Virág, S. (2019). Impact of high drinking water nitrate levels on the endogenous formation of apparent N-nitroso compounds in combination with meat intake in healthy volunteers. zenodo.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-019-0525-z
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Nitrates and nitrites: the science explained - GOV.UKGOV.UK. (n.d.). gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nitrates-and-nitrites-the-science-explained/nitrates-and-nitrites-the-science-explained
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Replication data for Colorectal cancer initiation by benzo[a]pyrene and N-nitroso compounds in A/J Min/+ mice. (2025). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.18710/PIJGRT
More against · 1
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Nitrites in Cured Meats, Health Risk Issues, Alternatives to Nitrites: A Review - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11213355
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