Sodium nitriteForms carcinogenic nitrosamines in cured/processed meat; processed meat classified IARC Group 1.
Sodium benzoatePreservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.
Sodium propionatePropionate preservatives have been associated in limited studies with behavioural/irritability effects in children and with migraine in sensitive individuals; evidence is weak.
Why this band?
How the nutrition, processing, and additive signals combine into the overall food-health band.
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Overall food-health bandFood healthCritical
Processing
nova 4
AdditivesHigh
3 flagged additive(s), worst HIGH
1no nutri-score — nutrition contributes the lowest band
2HIGH-concern additive floors band at "high"
3ultra-processed (NOVA 4) worsens band by one
4final band "critical" (health-blend-v1)
Flagged additives
Sodium nitrite — Forms carcinogenic nitrosamines in cured/processed meat; processed meat classified IARC Group 1.
Sodium benzoate — Preservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.
Sodium propionate — Propionate preservatives have been associated in limited studies with behavioural/irritability effects in children and with migraine in sensitive individuals; evidence is weak.
blend health-blend-v1
Per-ingredient concern · chemical identity, not food safety
