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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Nitrites in bacon: MPs and scientists call for UK ban over cancer fears

Sizzling bacon frying on a griddle pan.
About 90% of bacon sold in Britain is thought to contain nitrites. Photograph: Carey Jaman/Alamy

Leading food scientists and a cross-party group of MPs and peers are urging UK ministers to ban the use of chemicals in bacon that heighten the risk of several forms of cancer.

They want the government to tell the pork industry to phase out the use of nitrites, which are used to cure bacon and give it its distinctive pink colour as a way of protecting public health.

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