A survey of nitrite concentrations in retail fresh vegetables
Titel:
A survey of nitrite concentrations in retail fresh vegetables
Auteur:
Hunt, J. Turner, M. K.
Verschenen in:
Food additives and contaminants. Pt. A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment
Paginering:
Jaargang 11 (1994) nr. 3 pagina's 327-332
Jaar:
1994-05
Inhoud:
A survey of nitrite (NO-2) in fresh retail vegetables was conducted in the UK over twelve months. Samples of lettuce, cabbage, spinach, potatoes and carrots were bought at two-monthly intervals and analysed within 30 h of purchase using a method developed for fresh vegetables. Of 606 edible samples, 566 (93.4%) had no detectable NO-2, and 40 (mainly potatoes) contained trace amounts (< 0.4 mg kg-1). Four samples (spinach) which had deteriorated during their shelf-life and were considered inedible had amounts ranging from 12 to 222 mg kg-1 NO-2. The results confirm that poor storage is a rare occurrence in retail vegetables in the UK.