Drs. Furbeck, Sullivan, Pericu and Tarté will present in the Concurrent Session on “Nitrite in Processed Meats: An Update."

The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) is excited to announce that Drs. Furbeck, Sullivan, Pericu and Tarté will present in the Concurrent Session on “Nitrite in Processed Meats: An Update,” on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the 78th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC), sponsored by Hormel Foods Corporation. This session explores the chemical roles of nitrate, nitrite, and nitric oxide in meat curing, emphasizing their impact on preservation and product characteristics. It includes updates on U.S. and EU regulations, outlining implications for industry practices and consumer safety. The session also covers traditional and emerging methods for detecting and quantifying nitrite in meat products to support compliance and research.

Exploring Nitrites and Nitrates: Chemical Foundations of Meat Curing

The chemistry of nitrate, nitrite, and nitric oxide forms the foundation of meat curing, driving the key reactions with meat and microorganisms that produce the distinct characteristics and preservation of cured products. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of current scientific understanding and offers critical insights for evaluating alternative curing approaches.

Speakers: Gary Sullivan. Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Rebecca Furbeck, Ph.D., Test Center Supervisor, GEA

 Global Regulatory Update

This regulatory update highlights the latest developments surrounding nitrites and nitrates, with a focus on current regulations in the U.S. and EU, and examines their broader implications for industry practices and consumer safety.

Speaker: Gavino Pericu, Ph.D., Global Regulatory Affairs Director, Kerry 

Methodologies for Detection and Quantification of Nitrite in Meat

Accurate detection and precise quantification of nitrite in meat products are critical for ensuring regulatory compliance and advancing scientific research. This presentation will review established methods for measuring free nitrite,  introduce innovative techniques for detecting and quantifying nitrite and related compounds, and wrap up with exploring the potential benefits of these approaches for both industry application and research development.

 Speaker: Rodrigo Tarté, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University