Oncologist warns against specific food preservatives

Oncologist Dr. Ted A. James from Endeavor Health advises consumers to look past marketing claims on the front of food packaging and instead scrutinize the ingredient list on the back. He warns that labels such as ‘healthy’ or ‘high in protein’ are designed to drive sales and may not reflect the full nutritional profile of a product.

Dr. James specifically highlights sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite as ingredients to avoid. These preservatives are commonly used in processed meats like bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats to extend shelf life and maintain color.

According to Dr. James, these nitrites can react during food preparation or digestion to form compounds known as nitrosamines. These compounds may damage cells and DNA, potentially increasing the risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal and rectal cancer.