Savannah Chrisley calls for reform of U.S. nitrite labeling rules on processed meat

Savannah Chrisley, a television personality and advocate for the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, argues in a new opinion piece that U.S. food labeling rules mislead consumers about nitrites in processed meat and should be reformed.

Chrisley grounds her argument in personal experience, writing that her mother, a breast cancer survivor, was fed processed meats such as bologna, hot dogs and deli slices daily while incarcerated, with no ability to opt out. That experience, she says, exposed what she views as a broader problem affecting consumers nationwide.

At the center of her critique are labels such as “uncured” and “no nitrites added” on products like bacon and ham. Chrisley contends these claims are misleading because such products often still contain nitrites derived from celery powder rather than synthetic sodium nitrite, which she argues poses the same risks.

She cites a national poll of 1,000 registered voters conducted by J.L. Partners, which found that most Americans are unaware that “uncured” meats can still contain nitrites. After being informed, 75% of respondents said they support banning misleading “no nitrite” claims, while 83% favor clearer labeling.

Chrisley links her concerns to health research, noting that nitrites can form cancer-linked compounds called nitrosamines and referencing the World Health Organization’s 2015 classification of processed meat as carcinogenic, which she says is associated with 34,000 colorectal cancer deaths annually.

She also challenges the Food and Drug Administration’s position that nitrites are necessary to prevent botulism, pointing to nitrite-free products in U.S. stores and longstanding European practices.