Nitrites are often broken down by bacteria and can be produced in sauerkraut, cured meat products, overnight dishes, and spoiled vegetables.
Nitrites are salts containing the nitrite anion (NO2-). Nitrite is widespread in the human environment, is the most common nitrogen-containing compounds in nature, nitrate in the body of microorganisms can be reduced to nitrite, N-nitroso compounds precursor substances.
Nitrites are similar in appearance and taste to table salt, and are most commonly found as sodium nitrite, which is a white to yellowish powder or granule with a slightly salty taste and is easily soluble in water.
Although nitrite in meat products as a coloring agent limited use, but ingested in excess can cause poisoning, or even death, there is a certain degree of carcinogenicity, it is recommended that scientific diet.