

In addition to leavening, SAPP is often employed in food preservation and to maintain the quality of various products. In the processing of meats, for example, it helps to retain moisture and enhance binding properties in products like sausages and deli meats. Furthermore, it is used in the production of puffed snacks and other processed foods to improve texture and stability, preventing the formation of unwanted lumps.
Among the most commonly used meat preservatives are nitrates and nitrites. These compounds not only enhance the shelf life of cured meats like bacon and ham but also impart a characteristic pink/red color, which consumers often associate with freshness. Nitrates and nitrites work by converting into nitric oxide under certain conditions, which then inhibits the growth of spoilage bacteria. However, the use of these preservatives has raised health concerns, as they can react with amines in the meat to form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines when exposed to high temperatures. As a result, regulatory agencies have set limits on their usage to ensure consumer safety while still allowing manufacturers to benefit from their preservative properties.