Replacing saltpeter or sodium nitrate is a nitrite salt that does not harm the body in a limited dosage. You can buy it on a free sale. Such a mixture is actively used in the food industry, necessary for the production of sausage and meat products. Sodium salt for sausages is an important component, but it is also necessary to know what it is still needed for, in which areas it is used.
Nitrite salt - what is it?
In fact, it is a chemical reaction product obtained by dissolving sodium nitrite in a special brine with further evaporation of the salt. The presence of such an ingredient helps not only to improve the taste of the prepared dishes, but also significantly change their appearance. This product is required to be used strictly according to the instructions, because of the pharmacological properties of overestimating the permissible doses, it is the strongest poison for the body. It is important to ensure the safety of products - sausages. Outwardly, this mixture resembles sugar, has a sweetish taste.
Composition
In the production of meat products, nitrite salt is often used to improve the external characteristics of the product and significantly extend the shelf life. The concentration of nitrates in such an ingredient is slightly increased, so the mixture is added in dosage. For example, when entering the body of 3 g, there are symptoms of general intoxication of the body. In meat products, such a component is necessarily present.
The chemical composition of this food ingredient contains the components detailed in the following table:
| Name of the substance | Concentration of the component,% |
| Vacuum drying salt | 99.4 |
| Sodium nitrate( preservative E250) | 0.57 |
| Anti-agent | 0,001 |
Properties of nitrite salt
Preparation of homemade ham or other sausage products is not without this component. The dishes retain a rich color and piquant taste even with prolonged storage. This is one of the main advantages of such an additive, which was appreciated by modern culinary specialists. However, this useful "spice" does not end there, other advantages are presented below:
- meat gets a rich pink color, and not a pale shade of stale products;
- chemical compound successfully fights bacteria, prolongs the freshness period of meat products;
- due to the inconspicuous extermination of the pathogenic flora, the risk of developing botulism is significantly reduced;
- nitrite mixture inhibits lipid oxidation processes, so fat will not spoil the taste of food products;
- sodium nitrate changes the composition of the fibers, making the meat and sausage products more tender in perception;
- improves the color of meat and meat taste, which is especially important for preparing sausages in batches from the manufacturer;
- moderate addition of food additives does not harm health, on the contrary, it provides effective prevention of pathogenic flora.
How to use
This chemical compound is commonly used in the food industry as a preservative. Additionally, it is used as a dye, color stabilizer, taste enhancer. If you want to cook homemade sausage, it is important to always remember that the nitrite salt can weigh no more than 0.5-0.6% of the total weight of the meat product, for example, minced meat. From a medical point of view, the proportions of 50: 1 health will not suffer.
Dosage
The indicator of 0,5-0,6% of the total mass in raw sausages and not only is often broken. This is how unscrupulous producers act, who seek to increase meat taste in the selected recipe to increase the demand for sausage products. Only 1 gram of nitrite mixture is a threat to health, when it comes to 1 kg of homemade sausage. The concentration of nitrites increases pathologically, there are symptoms of food poisoning.
Safety Precautions
Nitrite-salting mixture is sold in the store, but use concentrated nitrate in the food industry is contraindicated. Otherwise, the health consequences may be the most unexpected. When salted sausages are salted, the content of sodium nitrate is minimal, otherwise such a delicacy can not be used daily in the daily ration. Before buying salt nitrite, it is important to study all the existing precautions. So:
- Do not buy fresh meat, on the packaging of which is not written the prevailing concentration of nitrite salt.
- In the presence of oncology or with a predisposition to such, completely eliminate this chemical compound.
- Even with the heat treatment of sausage, you do not need to eat such foods daily, otherwise health problems arise.
- The product must necessarily be certified, as reported on the package, otherwise you can get poisoned.
- Buy products with nitrite salt is recommended only from trusted suppliers, otherwise the risk of intoxication increases, more serious complications are not ruled out.
How to replace the salt with nitrate
If such an ingredient is not suitable, it can always be replaced by the presence in food or sausage food grade nitrate. This is a good alternative if you carefully follow the prescribed dosages. When answering the main question, than replacing the nitrite salt in a sausage, there are several other optimal answers. Substitutes are suitable for such food ingredients, although there are no complete analogues:
- table salt;
- spices;
- you can choose sea salt.
Storage conditions for the product
Before buying, you need to read the simple rules how to store this natural product, under what circumstances it is allowed to use. The conditions are as follows:
- Observe expiration date and do not use expired product.
- Store salt nitrate in a glass container, cover with a lid.
- Avoid unauthorized use in an inappropriate dose.
- Use according to the prescription, do not overdo with the recommended doses.
- The overdue product is urgently disposed of.
Price of nitrite salt
To maintain the freshness and suitability of meat, it is recommended to buy salt nitrite. It is sold in stores, or you can make an order through the Internet. Below are the prices for Moscow, which are generally available to all patients:
| Places for sale on the Internet | Price, rubles per 1 kg |
| Cosmogon.ru | 150 |
| Zdorovevevo | 70 |
| Tasty Eat | 150 |