Processed Meats
ProcessedOverview
Meats transformed through curing, smoking, grinding, or adding preservatives. Includes bacon, sausages, deli meats, hot dogs, and meat products with added nitrites, phosphates, or other processing agents.
34,156
Products contain this
2,224
Ingredient variations
Common forms
Mechanically separated meat, meat by-products, protein isolates
Function
Provides convenient, shelf-stable protein with enhanced flavors from curing and smoking. Used in ready-to-eat products, sandwich meats, pizza toppings, and flavor components.
Sources
Meats undergo curing with salt and nitrites, smoking, grinding with added fats and seasonings, or injection with phosphate solutions. Often contains multiple additives for preservation and texture.
Health Considerations
WHO classifies processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens. High sodium and preservative content. Nitrites can form nitrosamines. Associated with increased colorectal cancer risk.
Regulatory
USDA requires declaration of added solutions and mechanically separated meats. Nitrite levels regulated with maximum limits. "Uncured" products must use natural nitrite sources.
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Processed Meats
Showing 12 of 34,156 products, sorted by processing level