你吃下肚的硝酸鹽與亞硝酸鹽──我們該注意什麼？Nitrates and Nitrites in Your Food – What Should You Know?
- Enviro Labs
- 7月3日
- 讀畢需時 3 分鐘
🌭 為什麼要添加硝酸鹽和亞硝酸鹽？
硝酸鹽與亞硝酸鹽常用於加工肉類中，目的是：
制肉毒桿菌等致命細菌的生長
延長保存期限
保持肉品鮮紅色澤，提升賣相
⚠️ 它們會危害健康嗎？
是的，攝取過量的亞硝酸鹽可能有健康風險。
🔬 亞硝胺的形成
當亞硝酸鹽與蛋白質分解產物（如胺類）結合，在高溫或胃酸環境下可能形成亞硝胺，這是一種潛在致癌物質。
👶 對嬰兒的風險
亞硝酸鹽可導致「藍嬰症」，影響嬰兒血液攜氧功能，特別是6個月以下嬰兒最脆弱。
🥬 天然食物也含有硝酸鹽？
是的，綠葉蔬菜（如菠菜、芥菜）天然含有硝酸鹽。
不過，蔬菜中通常含有抗氧化物和纖維，有助抑制亞硝胺形成，因此健康風險較低。
✅ 如何降低攝取風險？
🧍♂️ 給消費者的建議
減少加工肉類攝取（如香腸、臘肉）
優先選擇新鮮肉類
留意食品標籤：查看是否含有硝酸鹽或亞硝酸鹽（如E250）
增加攝取維他命C與抗氧化蔬果
處理蔬菜前可浸水，避免久放
👨👩👧 給家長的特別提示
不建議為6個月以下嬰兒餵食高硝酸鹽菜泥
自製菜泥應即製即食
📜 法例如何規管？
香港法例對硝酸鹽與亞硝酸鹽的使用設有限量，並要求所有預包裝食品標示添加劑。
例子：亞硝酸鈉（E250）、硝酸鉀（E252）等。
🧠 小結：三個關鍵提醒
減少加工肉，多吃原型食物
查看食品標籤，避免高風險添加物
均衡飲食，多攝抗氧化成分
硝酸鹽與亞硝酸鹽並非全然有害，關鍵在於攝取量與來源。只要我們懂得選擇、留意標示，就能在享受美食的同時守護健康。
📢 健康，是從一餐一食開始的選擇。讓我們從今天起，留意你所吃的每一口！
📌 想了解更多食品添加劑資訊？
🔗 請瀏覽香港食物安全中心：www.cfs.gov.hk
🌭 Why Are Nitrates and Nitrites Added to Food?
Nitrates and nitrites are commonly used in processed meats for the following purposes:
To inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum
To extend shelf life
To preserve the reddish color of meats and enhance appearance
⚠️ Are They Harmful to Health?
Yes, excessive intake of nitrites may pose health risks.
🔬 Formation of Nitrosamines
When nitrites combine with protein breakdown products (amines), especially under heat or acidic conditions, they can form nitrosamines, which are potentially carcinogenic.
👶 Risks to Infants
Nitrites can cause “blue baby syndrome” (methemoglobinemia), impairing oxygen transport in infants, especially those under 6 months old.
🥬 Do Natural Foods Contain Nitrates?
Yes, leafy green vegetables (e.g., spinach, mustard greens) naturally contain nitrates. However, vegetables also contain antioxidants and fiber, which help inhibit nitrosamine formation, making them generally safe.
✅ How to Reduce the Risk?
🧍♂️ Tips for Consumers
Reduce consumption of processed meats (e.g., sausages, cured meats)
Choose fresh meat over processed products
Read food labels for additives like sodium nitrate/nitrite (e.g., E250)
Eat more foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants
Soak vegetables and avoid prolonged storage to reduce nitrate levels
👨👩👧 Special Tips for Parents
Avoid feeding high-nitrate vegetable purées to infants under 6 months
Serve homemade vegetable purées immediately
📜 How Are They Regulated?
Hong Kong regulations set strict limits on the use of nitrates and nitrites and require prepackaged foods to list such additives clearly.
Examples: Sodium nitrite (E250), potassium nitrate (E252), etc.
🧠 Summary: 3 Key Reminders
Eat less processed meat, more whole foods
Check food labels to avoid high-risk additives
Maintain a balanced diet with antioxidants
Nitrates and nitrites aren’t inherently harmful — dosage and source matter. With informed choices and label awareness, you can enjoy delicious food safely and healthily.
📢 Health begins with every meal and every bite. Let’s start today by being mindful of what we eat!
📌 Want to learn more about food additives?
🔗 Please visit Centre of Food Safety website：www.cfs.gov.hk
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