Nitrite from vegetable sources: a promising 'clean label' strategy in heat-treated sausages?

Nitrites are the most important preservatives in the meat industry, contributing to colour, flavour, and safety, making them the most common E-number on the label. On the other hand, the meat industry faces significant challenges as it grapples with the shift toward "clean labels" and consumer concerns about the healthiness of meat products. Many approaches have been proposed within scheme of natural alternatives to nitrite, and some are being implemented in practise. The use of nitrate-rich vegetable source and nitrate-reducing starter cultures could be considered a step forward in the "clean label" strategy, as it meets consumer demands. However, there are still some risks, such as residual formation of N- nitrosamines, impurities in vegetables, effects on sensory characteristics of the product (mainly colour and taste), allergenic effect (e.g., celery), and product safety issues. The objective of this manuscript is to discuss the benefits, limitations, and opportunities of using nitrite from vegetable sources in the meat industry.