𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Campaigners say Britain has the chance to deliver a “Brexit bacon bonanza” by going “one better” than the European Union and banning nitrites from the nation’s rashers. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice wants the UK to make the most of new food safety freedoms and ditch nitrites from processed meats.

Nitrites have traditionally been added to preserve meat and keep it pink. But the Coalition Against Nitrites says British bacon producers “make bacon that looks the same, tastes as good and is no more expensive than its competitors”.

There is longstanding concern that when cooked and eaten nitrites produce nitrosamines, with campaigners warning of the link to cancer. In October, lower legal limits will come into force in the EU.

Mr Tice wants Britain to lead the way with a ban he says will boost both public health and the fortunes of pig farmers.

He said: “Now that we’ve left the EU, the UK has a golden opportunity to go one better than Brussels – and ban cancer-linked nitrites from processed meats entirely. This isn’t just a public health no-brainer; it’s also a win for British farmers and food producers.”

Mr Tice said “sales of nitrite-free bacon are growing faster than the versions still laced with these carcinogens” and claimed “British shoppers are voting with their wallets for cleaner, safer food”.

“It’s time Government caught up — and backed new innovation over outdated EU-era regulation,” he said.

James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the Food Standards Association said: “Nitrates and nitrites are regulated as a food additive and have undergone a rigorous safety assessment prior to being authorised. The safety of food additives is kept under review.”

The Government acknowledges the link between eating too much red and processed meats and bowel cancer, recommending adults limit consumption of these products to 70g per day.

Nitrates and nitrites are regulated according to EU legislation which has been kept in UK law despite leaving the bloc. Producers are required to use the lowest level required to achieve the desired result under the so-called “technological function”.

The EU has reduced the maximum level of these additives to reduce exposure to nitrosamines which have been linked to colorectal cancer.

A spokesman for the Coalition Against Nitrites commented: “We’re delighted to be building a broad coalition of supporters, now including representatives from seven different political parties, who agree that carcinogenic chemicals have no place in our food. When bacon can be made without nitrites — without compromising taste, appearance or price — there’s simply no justification for their continued use.”