Nutrition and nitrosamine formation.

Nutrition and the fmmation of N-nitroso compounds N-nitroso compounds are an important group of chemical carcinogens that could be involved in human cancer (Magee, 1982). Only a few examples have been found in food and beverages (Assembly of Life Sciences, 1981) but suitable precursors are common dietary constituents (Assembly of Life Sciences, 1981), and the mildly acidic conditions of the stomach are favourable for their formation (Challis, 1981). Over 90% of the N-nitroso compounds tested have proven to be carcinogenic, some in as many as thirty species ranging from mice to primates (Magee et al . 1976). Many are organ-specific carcinogens, producing tumours remote from the site of their administration (Magee et al. I 976). Nonetheless, unequivocal evidence that N-nitroso compounds cause human cancer has proven elusive.