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Ham and sausages without nitrites

Published 29 October 2026

Yes, you can get ham without nitrites in UK supermarkets. The easiest kind to find is dry-cured ham like Parma or Serrano, where the label lists only pork and salt.

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Most cooked ham, bacon, salami and hot dogs use nitrites or nitrates. This guide shows what we've found without them, and how to check a pack.

What are nitrites and nitrates?

They are preservatives used to cure meat. They also give ham and bacon their pink colour. The FSA says bacon contains nitrites and nitrates as preservatives.

These are the four you will see. Each is on the FSA's list of approved additives:

  • E249 potassium nitrite
  • E250 sodium nitrite
  • E251 sodium nitrate
  • E252 potassium nitrate

On a label, they show up as "Preservative: Sodium Nitrite" or "Preservatives (E250, E252)".

Some people choose to avoid nitrites and nitrates. Some don't mind. We don't make claims either way. Our rules leave them out, so we only list meat without them.

Is there nitrate free ham in the UK?

Yes. These hams list only pork and salt. No nitrites, no nitrates.

Tesco, Aldi and Lidl:

Asda, M&S and Morrisons:

A British dry-cured ham, at Tesco and Ocado:

See our full ham without nitrites list.

Where can I find nitrate free ham?

Look in the deli or "continental meats" part of the fridge. Parma ham, prosciutto and Serrano ham are often just pork and salt. They are cured slowly, using salt and time.

Cooked ham is harder. Most sliced cooked ham in UK shops lists sodium nitrite. Some butchers make it without. Ask them.

Do sausages have nitrites?

It depends on the type.

Fresh British sausages are not cured. Many don't use nitrites. They often use a different preservative instead, such as sodium metabisulphite (E223). That's a sulphite, not a nitrite.

Cured sausages are a different story. Salami, pepperoni, hot dogs and frankfurters often list nitrites. Some chorizo does too.

These sausages have no preservatives at all:

Is there chorizo without nitrates?

Yes. These chorizos list pork, paprika, salt and garlic. Nothing else.

See our full sausages without nitrites list.

What about "no added nitrites" packs?

Some packs say "no added nitrites" on the front. Then the list says "celery powder", "celery extract" or "vegetable extract".

Some people treat these as the same as nitrites. Others don't. The products on this page don't list any of these. If you see one, take a photo of the label and we'll check it for you.

How to check a ham or sausage label

  1. Find "Ingredients".
  2. Look for the word "preservative".
  3. Look for "nitrite", "nitrate", or E249, E250, E251 or E252.
  4. Look for "celery powder" or "vegetable extract".
  5. If the list is just meat, salt and spices, it passes.

Remember: dry-cured hams are salty. That's how they are made. The salt is what keeps them.

What about bacon without nitrites?

It is very hard to find in UK shops. Most bacon lists nitrites or nitrates. We have only one bacon in our catalogue that passes.

We'll add more as we find them. If you spot one, take a photo of the label and send it to us.

Ways to use dry-cured ham

Dry-cured ham is not just for a deli plate. Try it:

  • wrapped around melon or figs
  • torn over a pizza after it comes out of the oven
  • crisped in a hot pan and used like bacon bits
  • in a toastie with cheese

Recipes with ham and sausages

FAQ

Does Parma ham have nitrates? The Parma ham packs we've checked list just pork and salt. No nitrates.

Is prosciutto nitrate free? Many are. Check the list. Some brands add preservatives.

Do fresh sausages have nitrites? Many don't. They often use a sulphite (E223) instead. Check the list.

Is Serrano ham nitrate free? The Tesco Finest Serrano ham we checked is pork leg and sea salt. Some brands add preservatives, so check the pack.

What is E250? E250 is sodium nitrite. It is a preservative used in cured meats.

Sources

  • GOV.UK (FSA), Approved additives and E numbers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approved-additives-and-e-numbers/approved-additives-and-e-numbers
  • GOV.UK (FSA), Food additives (bacon and preservatives): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food-additives/food-additives

At the deli fridge? Take a photo of the label in The Better Basket, and we'll check it for nitrites.

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