Nitrite dosage

Nitrites are additives and potential contaminants used primarily as preservatives and coloring agents in the food industry. They are used in the preservation of cured meats, fermented products, and certain industrial formulations. However, their excess can pose risks to animal and human health, particularly through the formation of nitroso compounds. Nitrite measurement is therefore essential to ensure regulatory compliance, assess food safety, and optimize the quality of products intended for food and animal nutrition.

Analytical methods for the determination of nitrites

Several reference analytical methods allow nitrites to be precisely quantified:

• Spectrophotometric method (Griess reaction) : classic, sensitive and widely used technique for determining nitrites in food and environmental matrices.
• Ion exchange chromatography (Ion chromatography) : allows the separation and quantification of nitrite ions in complex matrices, with increased specificity and better robustness.

These analytical approaches are comparable to those used for nitrate determination , ensuring reliable assessment of nitrogen residues in various products.

Industrial applications and compliance issues

Nitrite dosage concerns several sectors:

• Animal nutrition : quality control of feed formulations and prevention of risks linked to nitrites present in raw materials.
• Food industry : monitoring of nitrite content in charcuterie, preserves and processed products, to comply with strict regulations in force.
• Fermented products : verification of concentrations generated naturally during fermentation processes.
• Water and effluents : monitoring of drinking and waste water to ensure their health compliance.

This analysis complements other controls essential to food safety, such as the dosage of mycotoxins or the dosage of pesticides .

Matrices analyzed for nitrites

YesWeLab's partner laboratories perform nitrite analysis in a wide variety of matrices: processed meats and cured meats, fermented products, animal feed, drinking water, and plant extracts. Each matrix has a specific preparation protocol, ensuring representative and accurate results.

Quality and safety issues

Analytical monitoring of nitrites is essential for:

• Comply with regulatory limits set by the European Union and international health authorities.
• Prevent the formation of nitrosamines , potentially carcinogenic compounds resulting from the reaction of nitrites with amines.
• Ensure labeling transparency and strengthen consumer confidence.
• Guarantee animal and human safety , avoiding any risk of poisoning or overdose.

These challenges are part of an overall quality control approach, linked to other critical parameters such as the dosage of heavy metals or the dosage of impurities .

YesWeLab's expertise in nitrite testing

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of more than 200 partner laboratories in France and Europe, specialized in physicochemical analysis and accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC. Our experts select the most appropriate method based on your needs: regulatory monitoring, quality control, or process validation. Thanks to our digital platform, you benefit from simplified and transparent management: online quotes, real-time tracking of your samples, and rapid receipt of results. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and design offices have entrusted us with their analyses to guarantee the safety of their products.

Take action

Do you want to analyze the nitrite content in your animal formulas, food products, or drinking water? Entrust your samples to YesWeLab for accurate and compliant testing. Request a quote online now for your analyses.