Food Safety Focus

Food Safety Focus

Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in Birds Saliva Nest & Nitrites in Blood-red Birds Saliva Nest

Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in Birds Saliva Nest

Following up the incident of nitrites in blood-red Birds Saliva Nest, a local university conducted a study on nitrite and nitrate levels in Birds Saliva Nests revealing the presence of both chemicals in all 67 samples of Birds Saliva Nests. The amounts varied significantly with blood-red Birds Saliva Nests having the highest average levels.
In Hong Kong , nitrite and nitrate are not permitted to be added in Birds Saliva Nest, but relevant regulation is not applicable to nitrite and nitrate naturally present in Birds Saliva Nest. The mechanism of the natural presence of nitrite in Birds Saliva Nest is not entirely clear. Some suggested that nitrite may be formed due to fermentation and the levels may vary with the extent of environmental contamination.
To alleviate public concern, the local university study also tested and confirmed that majority of nitrites and nitrates can be removed by washing and soaking. To reduce exposure to nitrites and nitrates, Birds Saliva Nest should be washed and soaked for several hours or even overnight before cooking. Soaking water should be replaced once or twice during the process and be discarded.

Nitrites in Blood-red Birds Saliva Nest

Recently, high levels of nitrites were detected in blood-red Birds Saliva Nest samples in the Mainland market. There were concerns that nitrites might have been added to Birds Saliva Nest to produce the desirable red colour.
Birds Saliva Nest is made from secretions of Swiftlets' salivary glands and usually consumed as a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. The reason for the red colour of blood-red Birds Saliva Nest is not entirely clear.
Nitrites are not allowed to be added to Birds Saliva Nest in Hong Kong , although it is known that they may exist naturally in Birds Saliva Nest under certain conditions. Traders should source Birds Saliva Nests from reliable suppliers and ensure all foods they sell or import are fit for human consumption. The common practice of soaking Birds Saliva Nests for several hours, or even overnight, and washing them thoroughly with clean water can substantially reduce nitrite levels. Since nitrites are water soluble, The public should discard the water used for soaking Birds Saliva Nest before cooking.