'Let's use Brexit freedom to clean-up British bacon'

CAMPAIGNERS say the UK has the chance to deliver a “Brexit bacon bonanza” by going “one better” than the EU and banning nitrites from the nation’s rashers.

- By David Williamson CHIEF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice wants Britain to make the most of new food safety freedoms and ditch the preservatives from processed meats.

They are added to preserve meat and keep it pink but there are longstanding concerns that when cooked and eaten, nitrites produce nitrosamines which, campaigners warn, are linked to cancer.

In October, lower legal limits will come into force in the EU but Mr Tice wants Britain to lead the way with a ban that he says will boost both public health and the fortunes of pig farmers.

He added: “Now that we've left the EU, the UK has a golden opportunity to go one better than Brussels - and ban cancer-linked nitrites from processed meats entirely.