Hidden Names for Nitrates & Nitrites on Food Labels

Nitrates & Nitrites hides under 11 different names on food labels. Preservatives in processed meats linked to increased cancer risk by the WHO. We found it in 21 products in our database.

11
Hidden Names
21
Products Found
56
Avg Score

All 11 Hidden Names for Nitrates & Nitrites

If you see ANY of these on a food label, the product contains Nitrates & Nitrites:

sodium nitrate sodium nitrite potassium nitrate potassium nitrite celery powder celery juice celery extract cultured celery extract natural curing agents sea salt with celery powder cherry powder

🔍 How to Spot It

'Uncured' or 'no nitrates added' meats almost always use celery powder or celery juice, which contains naturally occurring nitrates — functionally the same thing. Check for 'celery' in any form.

⚠️ Health Note

The WHO classifies processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens, partly due to nitrate/nitrite content. 'Natural' nitrates from celery produce the same nitrosamines as synthetic ones.

Real Label Examples

Here's how Nitrates & Nitrites appears in actual product ingredient lists (highlighted in yellow):

ULTIMATE MEAT MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PREMIUM SLICED PEPPERONI, SEASONED BEEF CRUMBLES, SLICED BEEF STEAK, AND SMOKY BACON TRADITIONAL CRUST MEDIUM PIZZA, ULTIMATE MEAT by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
CRUST (UNBLEACHED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WATER, YEAST, PALM OIL, SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL AND/OR OLIVE POMACE OIL AND/OR EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL), SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, GUM ACACIA, CALCIU...
PEPPERED BEEF JERKY, PEPPERED by Old Trapper Smoked Products
BEEF, BROWN SUGAR, WATER, SALT, FLAVORINGS, BEEF STOCK, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, VINEGAR, SODIUM NITRITE.
Beef Jerky by Old Trapper
beef, brown sugar, salt, beef stock, sugar, spices, flavorings, vinegar, sodium nitrite

Products Containing Nitrates & Nitrites (21 Found)

These products contain Nitrates & Nitrites or one of its aliases, sorted by lowest safety score:

#ProductBrandScore
1ULTIMATE MEAT MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PREMIUM SLICED PEPPERONI, SEASONED BEEF CRUMBLES, SLICED BEEF STEAK, AND SMOKY BACON TRADITIONAL CRUST MEDIUM PIZZA, ULTIMATE MEATWal-Mart Stores, Inc.2/100
2PEPPERED BEEF JERKY, PEPPEREDOld Trapper Smoked Products12/100
3Beef JerkyOld Trapper24/100
4PEPPERONI FRENCH BREAD TOPPED WITH PIZZA SAUCE, MOZZARELLA CHEESE FRENCH BREAD SINGLES PIZZAS, PEPPERONIThe Schwan Food Company24/100
5BREAKFAST BURRITO, BACONDon Miguel Mexican Foods, Inc.24/100
6RANCH COBB SALAD WITH CHICKEN & BACON, CHICKEN & BACONWal-Mart Stores, Inc.24/100
7SPRING VALLEY PARTY ASSORTMENT, 12 COUNT, 8.4 OZSPRING VALLEY29/100
8COBB SALAD WITH CHICKEN & BACON VALLEY SPRING MIX, WHITE CHICKEN MEAT, TOMATO, EGG, CARROT, BLUE CHEESE, BACON, & SEASONED CROUTONS WITH BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING, COBB WITH CHICKEN & BACONTaylor Fresh Foods, Inc.56/100
9CHEF SALAD WITH TURKEY & HAM, TURKEY & HAMWal-Mart Stores, Inc.59/100
10SAM'S CHOICE, BEEF FRANKS IN A PANKO & CHEESE BLANKETWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
11SIMPLY BALANCED, TURKEY BACON UNCUREDTarget Stores68/100
12MARKET PANTRY, BEEF BROTHTarget Stores68/100
13MARKETSIDE, MEDIUM PEPPERONI PIZZAWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
14SAM'S CHOICE, MINI ANGUS BEEF & BACON CHEESEBURGERSWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
15SAM'S CHOICE, PERSONAL DOUBLE PEPPERONI PIZZAWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
16TRADITIONAL FLATBREAD PIZZAGiant Eagle, Inc.72/100
17Original beef jerkyJack Link s72/100
18KIDS CHICKEN & APPLE STICKS, CHICKEN; APPLEThe New Primal, LLC84/100
19APPLEWOOD SMOKED UNCURED TURKEY BACON, APPLEWOOD SMOKEDTarget Stores90/100
20PARMESAN & MUSHROOM ORGANIC CHICKEN SAUSAGE, PARMESAN & MUSHROOMWhole Foods Market, Inc.90/100
21Organic Sweet Italian Chicken SausageTrader Joe's100/100
📬

Get Your Free Weekly Clean Food Guide

Join health-conscious shoppers. Every week: worst products to avoid, cleanest new finds, and FDA recall alerts.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Scan Any Product for Hidden Nitrates & Nitrites →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hidden names for Nitrates & Nitrites?
Nitrates & Nitrites can appear on food labels under 11 different names including: sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, celery powder, celery juice, and 5 more.
How many products contain Nitrates & Nitrites?
In our database of 26,000+ grocery products, we found 21 products containing Nitrates & Nitrites or one of its aliases.
How can I avoid Nitrates & Nitrites in food?
'Uncured' or 'no nitrates added' meats almost always use celery powder or celery juice, which contains naturally occurring nitrates — functionally the same thing. Check for 'celery' in any form. The easiest way is to use the CheckIt AI app to scan any product — it automatically detects all 11 hidden names.
Is Nitrates & Nitrites dangerous?
The WHO classifies processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens, partly due to nitrate/nitrite content. 'Natural' nitrates from celery produce the same nitrosamines as synthetic ones.

Other Hidden Ingredient Names

MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Sugar Artificial Colors Soy Trans Fat Gluten Dairy All Hidden Names Ingredient Encyclopedia Banned in Europe Ingredient Glossary
CheckIt AI
CheckIt AI
★★★★★ 4.7 · 202+ reviews

See what's really in your food

Scan any food label instantly. No barcode needed. 26,000+ products scored.

Download Free on the App Store →

Free · No credit card required · Works on iPhone & Android

Scanner Apps

Gluten Scanner AppDairy Scanner AppSeed Oil Scanner AppPeanut Allergy Scanner AppADHD Food Scanner AppIBS Food Scanner AppPregnancy Food Scanner AppCarnivore Diet Scanner AppKeto Scanner AppPaleo Scanner AppVegan Scanner AppCeliac Scanner AppMigraine Food Scanner AppKidney Diet Scanner AppCrohn's Food Scanner AppThyroid Scanner AppPCOS Food Scanner AppGout Food Scanner AppEczema Food Scanner AppToddler Food Scanner AppHeart Health Scanner AppAthlete Nutrition Scanner AppAcne Food Scanner AppFODMAP Scanner AppAIP Scanner AppMold Toxin Scanner AppHistamine Scanner AppOxalate Scanner AppNightshade Scanner AppSoy Scanner AppCorn Scanner AppEgg Allergy Scanner AppTree Nut Scanner AppShellfish Allergy Scanner AppSulfite Scanner AppSalicylate Scanner AppLectin Scanner AppSugar-Free Scanner AppLow Sodium Scanner AppMediterranean Diet Scanner AppWhole30 Scanner AppDiabetic Food Scanner AppColitis Food Scanner AppIC Food Scanner AppLupus Food Scanner AppHashimoto's Scanner AppEndometriosis Food Scanner AppAutoimmune Food Scanner AppBaby Formula Scanner AppPet Food Scanner AppSenior Nutrition Scanner AppOzempic Food Scanner AppWegovy Food Scanner AppMounjaro Food Scanner AppUltra-Processed Food ScannerHalal Food Scanner AppKosher Food Scanner AppAnti-Inflammatory Scanner AppCandida Diet Scanner AppSIBO Food Scanner AppLeaky Gut Scanner AppCholesterol Food Scanner AppBlood Pressure Scanner AppWeight Loss Food Scanner AppPesticide Food Scanner AppHeavy Metal Scanner AppPFAS Food Scanner AppBreastfeeding Food Scanner AppAutism Food Scanner AppFertility Food Scanner AppGAPS Diet Scanner AppElimination Diet Scanner AppLow Carb Scanner AppNanny Food Scanner AppGrocery Store Scanner AppFood Allergy Scanner AppDye-Free Food Scanner AppMuscle Building Scanner AppMarathon Runner Scanner AppKids Food Scanner AppFood Sensitivity Scanner AppClean Label Scanner AppFSA/HSA Food Scanner AppWhole Food Scanner AppDog Food Scanner AppCat Food Scanner App

Ingredient Safety

Red 40Yellow 5Yellow 6AspartameBHABHTSodium NitriteCarrageenanSucraloseTitanium DioxidePotassium BromateHigh Fructose Corn SyrupMSGSodium BenzoateTBHQPolysorbate 80Red 3Caramel ColorSoy LecithinNatural FlavorsAcesulfame-KMaltodextrinXanthan GumGuar GumCitric AcidErythritolBlue 1Propyl GallateMono & DiglyceridesPectinAcacia GumAgarAnnattoAutolyzed YeastAzodicarbonamideBVOCalcium PropionateCarnauba WaxCelluloseDATEMDisodium InosinateGellan GumKonjacLocust Bean GumMethylcelluloseSodium AlginateSodium Aluminum PhosphateTragacanth Gum

Food Safety Answers

Is Red 40 Banned in Europe?What Foods Have Seed Oils?Is Carrageenan Safe?Worst Food AdditivesIs BHA Safe?Does Gatorade Have Food Dye?Titanium Dioxide in FoodIs Aspartame Safe?Is Sodium Nitrite Dangerous?Is MSG Bad for You?What Is HFCS?Is Sucralose Safe?Food Dye Banned in Europe?Is Potassium Bromate Banned?What Is Natural Flavors?Is Soy Lecithin Bad?Is Maltodextrin Bad?Is Xanthan Gum Safe?Is Red 3 Banned?Is TBHQ Bad?Foods Banned in Other CountriesIs Citric Acid Bad?What Is Polysorbate 80?Is Caramel Color Safe?Is Palm Oil Bad?What Is Cellulose in Food?Is Acesulfame-K Safe?Is Erythritol Safe?Is Guar Gum Safe?Is Food in America Safe?Cheerios & PesticidesBest Food Scanner AppHow to Read Food LabelsIs Yellow 5 Safe?Are Preservatives Bad?Artificial Sweetener SafetyIs Canola Oil Bad?Hidden Names for SugarFoods That Cause InflammationIs Annatto Safe?Is Azodicarbonamide Safe?Is Calcium Propionate Safe?Is Carnauba Wax Safe?Is Gelatin Halal?Is Locust Bean Gum Safe?Mono & Diglycerides SafetyIs Pectin Safe?Propylene Glycol in FoodWhat Is Agar Agar?What Is BVO?What Is DATEM?What Is Sodium Alginate?What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Cleanest Rankings

Cleanest Protein BarsCleanest CerealCleanest YogurtCleanest ChipsCleanest SnacksCleanest BreadCleanest SaucesCleanest JuiceCleanest CookiesCleanest CandyCleanest Ice CreamCleanest PastaCleanest Baby FoodCleanest Energy DrinksCleanest Protein PowderCleanest Frozen MealsCleanest CondimentsCleanest SodaCleanest Pet Food

Free-From Finder

Protein Bars Without Seed OilsCereal Without Artificial ColorsSnacks Without PreservativesYogurt Without Artificial SweetenersChips Without Seed OilsCookies Without Artificial ColorsCandy Without Artificial ColorsSoda Without Artificial SweetenersFrozen Meals Without MSGBaby Food Without SugarEnergy Drinks Without SweetenersProtein Bars Without SweetenersSnacks Without Seed OilsCereal Without SugarBread Without PreservativesIce Cream Without CarrageenanPasta Without Gluten

Store Scan Results

Costco Protein Bars RankedWalmart Cereal RankedTarget Snacks RankedWhole Foods Yogurt RankedKroger Bread RankedAldi Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedWalmart Chips RankedTarget Cookies RankedTrader Joe's Snacks RankedWhole Foods Bread RankedWalmart Juice RankedTarget Cereal RankedWalmart Bread RankedKroger Snacks RankedAldi Cereal RankedWhole Foods Snacks RankedKroger Cereal RankedAldi Bread RankedTrader Joe's Cereal RankedCostco Bread Ranked

Ingredient Comparisons

Red 40 vs Yellow 5Red 40 vs Yellow 6Aspartame vs SucraloseAspartame vs HFCSBHA vs BHTRed 40 vs AspartameCarrageenan vs Soy LecithinSucralose vs HFCSTBHQ vs BHATBHQ vs BHTRed 40 vs Titanium DioxideRed 40 vs Caramel ColorMSG vs Natural FlavorsSodium Benzoate vs Potassium BromateYellow 5 vs Red 3Polysorbate 80 vs CarrageenanXanthan Gum vs Guar GumRed 40 vs Red 3Erythritol vs SucraloseMaltodextrin vs HFCSAll Ingredient Comparisons

Store Reports

Walmart Report CardTarget Report CardCostco Report CardKroger Report CardWhole Foods Report CardTrader Joe's Report CardAldi Report CardSam's Club Report Card

Original Research

All Research StudiesGrocery Product Safety StudySeed Oil CensusSafest Grocery StoresSchool Lunch Safety ReportMost Common AdditivesBanned Ingredients in US Products

App Comparisons

CheckIt vs YukaCheckIt vs EWGCheckIt vs FooducateCheckIt vs MyFitnessPalCheckIt vs Think DirtyCheckIt vs SooseeCheckIt vs NoomYuka vs EWGYuka vs Fooducate

Product Exposés

What's Really In Your Food?What's Really In Lunchables?What's Really In Hot Cheetos?What's Really In Gatorade?What's Really In Pop-Tarts?What's Really In Mountain Dew?What's Really In Doritos?What's Really In Goldfish?What's Really In Oreos?What's Really In Lucky Charms?What's Really In Takis?

Category Safety Reports

All CategoriesSnacks Safety ReportFrozen Foods SafetySweet Snacks ReportDesserts Safety ReportMeals Safety ReportBiscuits & CrackersChips Safety ReportCereals Safety ReportSalty Snacks ReportPlant-Based SafetyBeverages Safety

Store × Category Rankings

Walmart Snacks RankedCostco Snacks RankedTarget Snacks RankedWalmart Cereals RankedCostco Frozen FoodsTarget Desserts RankedWhole Foods SnacksTrader Joe's SnacksWalmart Snacks RankedKroger Cereals Ranked

Worst & Best Rankings

Worst CandyWorst ChipsWorst SnacksWorst CerealsWorst Frozen FoodsBest SnacksBest CerealsBest Frozen FoodsBest Plant-BasedBest Desserts

Recipe & Meal Guides

All Recipe GuidesGluten-Free BreakfastGluten-Free SnacksDairy-Free DinnerVegan SnacksKeto BreakfastSeed Oil-Free SnacksGluten-Free Dairy-Free SnacksGluten-Free Soy-Free SnacksGF + DF + SF SnacksVegan Gluten-Free SnacksTop 8 Allergen-Free SnacksGF Snacks Without Seed OilsDairy-Free Nut-Free BreakfastGF DF EF Desserts

Store Allergy Guides

GF + DF Snacks at WalmartGF + DF Snacks at CostcoGF + DF Snacks at KrogerGF + DF Snacks at TargetGF + DF Snacks at ALDINut-Free Snacks at WalmartNut-Free Breakfast at CostcoVegan GF Dinner at KrogerAll Recipe GuidesGF + DF + SF at CostcoTop 8 Free at KrogerSeed Oil Free + GF at Walmart

Brand Report Cards

All Brand ReportsNestlé Safety ReportKellogg's Safety ReportGeneral Mills ReportKraft Heinz Safety ReportFrito-Lay Safety ReportHain Celestial Safety ReportConagra Safety ReportMondelēz Safety ReportCampbell's Safety ReportDanone Safety Report

Safe for Conditions

All Condition GuidesIBS-Safe SnacksGERD-Safe DrinksDiabetic-Friendly BreakfastCeliac-Safe SnacksLow-Histamine DinnerADHD-Friendly SnacksAutoimmune BreakfastMigraine-Safe SnacksCrohn's-Safe SnacksEczema-Safe SnacksPCOS-Friendly Breakfast

Store Diet Guides

GF Snacks at WalmartVegan Snacks at WalmartKeto Protein Bars at CostcoGF Snacks at CostcoVegan Snacks at Trader Joe'sGF Cereal at Trader Joe'sDF Snacks at TargetLow Sugar Cereal at KrogerPaleo Snacks at Whole FoodsGF Snacks at ALDI

Diet Product Finder

All Diet ProductsKeto Energy DrinksVegan Protein BarsGluten-Free CerealLow Sugar CookiesDairy-Free Ice CreamPaleo JerkySeed Oil-Free ChipsNut-Free Granola BarsGluten-Free BreadVegan Chocolate

Banned in Europe

All Banned IngredientsRed 40 (Allura Red)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)Red 3 (Erythrosine)Titanium DioxideBHABHTPotassium BromateBrominated Vegetable OilAzodicarbonamideTBHQ

Store Rankings

All Store RankingsWorst Snacks at WalmartWorst Cereal at CostcoWorst Candy at TargetBest Snacks at WalmartBest Snacks at CostcoBest Snacks at Trader Joe'sBest Cereal at Whole FoodsBest Yogurt at TargetWorst Chips at KrogerBest Bread at ALDI

GLP-1 Friendly Foods

All GLP-1 Friendly FoodsGLP-1 Protein BarsGLP-1 YogurtGLP-1 SnacksGLP-1 CerealGLP-1 JerkyGLP-1 Protein Bars at WalmartGLP-1 Snacks at CostcoGLP-1 Yogurt at Trader Joe'sGLP-1 Cereal at Target

Hidden Ingredient Names

All Hidden NamesHidden Names for MSGHidden Names for SugarHidden Names for HFCSHidden Names for Food DyesHidden Names for SoyHidden Names for Trans FatHidden Names for GlutenHidden Names for DairyHidden Names for Seed OilsHidden Names for Palm Oil

Reformulation Tracker

All ReformulationsFanta Orange ChangesMountain Dew ChangesKraft Mac & CheeseCheerios ChangesGatorade ChangesPepsi ChangesTrix Cereal ChangesSubway Bread Changes

Additive-Free Product Guides

All Additive-Free GuidesWithout Red 40Without Yellow 5Without CarrageenanWithout MSGWithout AspartameWithout HFCSWithout BHAWithout TBHQWithout Sodium BenzoateWithout Titanium DioxideWithout SucraloseWithout Artificial Colors

Influencer-Inspired Grocery Lists

All Inspired ListsBobby Parrish InspiredDr. Hyman InspiredFood Babe InspiredDr. Berg InspiredCalley Means InspiredDr. Gundry InspiredThomas DeLauer InspiredDr. Ken Berry InspiredJoe Rogan Diet ListHuberman Lab Food ListDr. Casey Means ListRFK Jr. MAHA Food ListDr. Rhonda Patrick ListEmily Mariko Meal PrepJamie Oliver Clean EatingFit Men Cook ListKids Clean EatsClean Eating ListAnti-Inflammatory ListSeed Oil Free ListDye-Free Kids' FoodsWhole Food SnacksNo Artificial IngredientsGut Health FoodsPregnancy-Safe GroceriesToddler-Safe SnacksKeto No Seed Oils

Food Safety by Age

All Age GuidesToddler-Safe SnacksBaby-Safe BreakfastKids-Safe SnacksKids-Safe LunchPregnancy-Safe SnacksPregnancy-Safe BreakfastSenior-Friendly SnacksAthlete SnacksNursing-Safe DrinksTeen-Safe Snacks

Ultra-Processed Rankings

All UPF RankingsMost Processed SnacksMost Processed CerealsMost Processed CandyMost Processed ChipsMost Processed Frozen FoodsUPF Snacks at WalmartUPF Cereal at CostcoUPF Chips at TargetUPF Candy at Walmart

Cleanest Brands

All Cleanest BrandsCleanest Snack BrandsCleanest Cereal BrandsCleanest Chip BrandsCleanest Cookie BrandsCleanest Yogurt BrandsCleanest Bread BrandsCleanest Baby Food BrandsCleanest Protein Bar BrandsCleanest Frozen Food Brands

Ingredient Side Effects

All Side EffectsRed 40 Side EffectsYellow 5 Side EffectsAspartame Side EffectsSucralose Side EffectsMSG Side EffectsBHA Side EffectsSodium Benzoate Side EffectsCarrageenan Side EffectsHFCS Side EffectsCaramel Color Side Effects

Brand Exposure Reports

All Brand ReportsNestlé ExposedKellogg's ExposedGeneral Mills ExposedFrito-Lay ExposedKraft ExposedCoca-Cola ExposedPepsi ExposedMars ExposedMondelēz Exposed

Healthy Store Hauls

All Store HaulsWalmart HaulCostco HaulTarget HaulTrader Joe's HaulWhole Foods HaulKroger HaulAldi Haul

Store Shopping Guides

All Store GuidesSeed Oil-Free Snacks at WalmartKeto Snacks at CostcoGF Cereal at Trader Joe'sClean Label Snacks at Whole FoodsSeed Oil-Free Snacks at TargetVegan Drinks at KrogerDye-Free Snacks at ALDIGF Bread at WalmartGF Snacks at CostcoSeed Oil-Free at Trader Joe'sDye-Free Cereal at Walmart

Is It Healthy?

Browse All ProductsHealthier Swap FinderStore Report CardsIngredient EncyclopediaBanned IngredientsWhat's Really In Your Food

UPC Barcode Lookup

Barcode Lookup Tool

Worst Product of the Week

All Weekly ReportsJanuary 2026 Week 1January 2026 Week 2February 2026 Week 1February 2026 Week 2March 2026 Week 1March 2026 Week 2

School Lunch Guides

All School Lunch GuidesDye-Free School LunchNut-Free School LunchSchool Lunch Without Red 40School Lunch Without HFCSGluten-Free School LunchDairy-Free School LunchNo Preservatives LunchClean Label School LunchLow-Sugar School LunchSeed Oil-Free Lunch

Guides & Tools

Download CheckIt AIUser ReviewsFood RecallsBanned in EuropeFood Safety ReportIngredient GlossaryStore RankingsIngredient EncyclopediaHealthier Swap FinderOur MethodologyIngredient ComparisonsTopic GuidesAll Food Safety AnswersOpen DataWhat's Really In Your FoodUPC Barcode Lookup
4.7
from 202+ ratings on the App Store
📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "11 Hidden Names for Nitrates & Nitrites — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/nitrates
MLA"11 Hidden Names for Nitrates & Nitrites — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/nitrates.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/nitrates">11 Hidden Names for Nitrates & Nitrites — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026hiddennamesnitrates, title = {11 Hidden Names for Nitrates & Nitrites — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/nitrates}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }