Nitrate-Free Meat: It Matters
We should all be discerning consumers when it comes to the food we eat. A few years after we started Na*Kyrsie Meats, we realized our young son was eating too many added nitrates in meat. So we decided to make a completely nitrate-free product that our family and our customers could feel good about. We specialize in making nitrate-free bacon, hams, and charcuterie products so you can enjoy these foods without the worry of added nitrates.
What are nitrites and nitrates?
Naturally Occurring Nitrates
Nitrates are in our gut and saliva, as well as in dirt and a lot of vegetables we eat. Our bodies naturally produce them and we depend on them to fight off harmful bacteria.
Sodium Nitrite and Potassium Nitrite
Sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite is used to preserve and keep away bacteria that causes food poisoning in cooked meat products. Nitrites are the reason meats look pink; otherwise, they would turn brown quickly.
Nitrites for Meat Processing Dry-Aged Products
For dry-aged products such as salumi, many manufacturers use a combination of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate for preserving and keeping pathogens away.
Nitrates and Your Health
The Science of Nitrates
Nitrites and nitrates are compounds consisting of nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Nitrates turn into nitrites in our bodies, and the nitrites can then form either nitric oxide (good) or nitrosamines (bad).
Nitrates in Meat
Cured meat products contain nitrates to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and preserve the flavor and texture of the meat. Adding nitrates also extends the shelf life of cured meats.
Are Nitrates Bad for You?
Nitrites can react with other compounds in your digestive tract to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic compounds that can cause cancer. So, because nitrates break down into nitrites in your body, adding nitrates to meat isn’t a good idea.
Is celery powder a nitrate?
The Process to Use Celery Powder
To use celery powder to cure meat, the celery plant must first be harvested, juiced and fermented to convert the nitrate to nitrite, and then dried into a powder. So, celery powder is still a form of nitrite.
Uncured vs. Celery Powder
Nearly every company offering “uncured” meats uses celery powder, which the USDA considers a curing agent. We use a longer fermentation time to create a safe, delicious product that is truly uncured.
Why Na*Kyrsie Meats Doesn’t Use Celery Powder
We have never used celery powder because we feel the labeling is unethical. Celery powder is still a nitrite that can produce nitrosamines, which are potentially harmful to your health. We don’t believe in replacing artificial nitrites with natural ones in an attempt to promote health.
Nitrate-Free Charcuterie, Bacon, and Ham
A Bright, Clean, Nitrate-Free Flavor
Our uncured meats are completely nitrate-free. They contain absolutely no form of concentrated nitrate or nitrite, so you can enjoy artisan-style charcuterie, bacon, and ham all made without preservatives.
Na*Kyrsie Meats:
Nitrate-Free and Flavor-Full​
We use a proprietary process, which includes a longer fermentation time, to create our uncured meats without sacrificing quality or flavor. All of our products are USDA-inspected and approved.