Things You Need To Know - Nitrites And Nitrates In Our Smallgoods

There are a lot of sayings about nitrites and nitrates in ham and cured meats out there. As a family business with over 100 years of smallgoods expertise, let’s unwrap the connection together.

Nitrites and nitrates are compounds that occur naturally in various foods, such as fruit, spinach, lettuce, celery, as well as small amounts being found in raw meat. They are also used in food production for different purposes; they can kill bacteria and stop them from developing in food, at the same time maintaining the food’s original flavour.

Yes, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), about 42% - 78% of total dietary nitrate and nitrites come from vegetables, and about 11% - 30% from fruit. Meanwhile, less than 10% of the average total dietary intake of nitrate and nitrites comes from smallgoods like ham and bacon.

That means, when you are having a ham sandwich, the spinach and lettuce are likely to have more nitrates and nitrites than the ham itself.

At Barossa Fine Foods, we make our ham in a traditional way, and in accordance with Australia’s strict FSANZ Food Standards Code. By reducing the overall ingredients and keeping our manufacturing processes simple, the finished product adorning your sandwich is more authentic and full of flavour.

Take a look at our Ham off the Bone:

Pork (97%), salt, sugar, water, herbs and spices (including ginger), preservatives (250, 262, 331), antioxidants (301, 316), mineral salts (450, 451, 452).

The ingredients used here to make the best-tasting ham in Australia have been used for many years, in some cases hundreds of years.

No. According to the NOVA Food Classification system, “Ultra-processed” refers to those ingredients that you never find in a home kitchen.

What are they? These include ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, hydrolyzed protein, artificial colors, and added flavorings.

At Barossa Fine Foods, every product we manufacture, every ingredient we use, and every process and label strictly adheres to the relevant regulations of the Food Standards Code set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

In other words, our ham simply doesn't fall into that category. It's made using a straightforward curing process, then cooked and cooled, just as good-quality ham should be.

Australia’s food safety framework is among the most stringent in the world. FSANZ independently sets and enforces the rules around what can go into food, including how much of any given preservative is allowed.

We’ve been making smallgoods since 1924. We’re not cutting corners now.

Because they are crucial in terms of food safety.

Bacteria can grow rapidly in food; nitrites help prevent them from developing and keep the meats safe when they are on the shelf. Using nitrites has been one of the key advances in making cured meats safer to eat.

Taking them out without a proven alternative wouldn’t make the product cleaner, as it would make it less safe.

Not at all!

Australian-made ham is rich in protein, B vitamins, iron, and zinc, and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, guilt-free.

Based on data from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the NOVA food classification system. Last reviewed June 2026.

We’ve been making smallgoods as a family since 1924. There’s not much we don’t know about it! If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us; we would be happy to discuss product ingredients, nutritional value, or any questions regarding the production process with you.