Nitrate and nitrite in foods and the diet

Abstract

Concentrations of nitrate and nitrite have been determined in a range of foods and the dietary intake estimated from the MAFF Total Diet Study. The estimated dietary intake of nitrate ion for the UK population was 54 mg/day and the estimated dietary intake of nitrite ion was in the range 2.4-4.2 mg/day in 1985. The main source of nitrate in the diet is from the consumption of vegetables.