Guillaume Dominguez / Photo credit: HOUIN / BSIP / BSIP via AFP
Nitrites in our slices of ham, but not in our animals’ kibble. A situation a priori incongruous, but very real since the European Commission has decided to remove this controversial additive from food for dogs and cats while it remains authorized, although limited, in the charcuterie products that we consume.
This is actually a direct approach from the manufacturers. Two years ago, they did not renew, with the European Commission, their request for authorization to use nitrites in the production of animal food. Enough to lead, last June, to the pure and simple cessation of the authorization of these additives.
“The world is going crazy”
A decision that manufacturers justify, among other things, by the way our pets are fed, almost exclusively composed of kibble and pâtés, very concentrated in additives. The measure currently only applies to food for dogs and cats. Animal products containing nitrites will remain on shelves until next October, while stocks run out.
This ban immediately sparked a reaction from supporters of a ban on nitrites in processed meats. “The world is going crazy. We know today that science has spoken, notably the Cancer Institute, ANSES… We know that nitrites kill humans. And today, Europe will further protect our pets and we will continue to kill the French with nitrites in cold meats”, fumes Richard Ramos, MoDem deputy for Loiret, at the origin of a bill aimed at prohibiting these additives from cold meats .
The latter denounces the pressure from the lobby of charcuterie manufacturers to maintain the use of nitrites. He sent a letter to the President of the Republic asking him to intervene in this matter.