/oss/taxonomy/term/931/all en /oss/article/food/celery-juice-viable-alternative-nitrites-cured-meats <p>Nitrates and nitrites are used to "cure" meat.  Their role was likely discovered by accident and can be traced to the use of salt that happened to be contaminated with potassium or sodium nitrate, commonly known as “saltpeter.”  Meat treated with these chemicals retains a red colour, acquires a characteristic taste and most importantly, is less amenable to contamination with disease-causing bacteria, particularly the very dangerous Botulinum clostridium.</p> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:08:43 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1904 at /oss