Carrefour Fromage Fondu au Jambon

Sodium nitrite (E250) is a salt used for curing and preserving meat products.

It plays a critical role in preventing the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism, in cured meats like bacon, ham, and sausages. It also provides the characteristic pink color and flavor.

However, nitrites can react with amines in the stomach to form nitrosamines, which are potent carcinogens. High intake of processed meats containing nitrites is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Regulatory bodies have set strict limits on its use in food.

SODIUM LACTATE is the sodium salt of lactic acid, and has a mild saline taste. It is produced by fermentation of a sugar source, such as corn or beets. It acts as a preservative, acidity regulator, and bulking agent.

TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na3PO4.

Carrageenan (E407), derived from red seaweed, is widely employed in the food industry as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent, notably in dairy and meat products.

It can exist in various forms, each imparting distinct textural properties to food.

However, its degraded form, often referred to as poligeenan, has raised health concerns due to its potential inflammatory effects and its classification as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Nevertheless, food-grade carrageenan has been deemed safe by various regulatory bodies when consumed in amounts typically found in food.

Carrageenans or carrageenins ( karr-ə-gee-nənz, from Irish carraigín, "little rock") are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red edible seaweeds. They are widely used in the food industry, for their gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties. Their main application is in dairy and meat products, due to their strong binding to food proteins. There are three main varieties of carrageenan, which differ in their degree of sulfation. Kappa-carrageenan has one sulfate group per disaccharide, iota-carrageenan has two, and lambda-carrageenan has three. Gelatinous extracts of the Chondrus crispus (Irish moss) seaweed have been used as food additives since approximately the fifteenth century. Carrageenan is a vegetarian and vegan alternative to gelatin in some applications or may be used to replace gelatin in confectionery.

Sodium triphosphate (STP), also sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or tripolyphosphate (TPP),) is an inorganic compound with formula Na5P3O10. It is the sodium salt of the polyphosphate penta-anion, which is the conjugate base of triphosphoric acid. It is produced on a large scale as a component of many domestic and industrial products, especially detergents. Environmental problems associated with eutrophication are attributed to its widespread use.