Overview
- The NutriNet-Santé project followed more than 100,000 adults from 2009 to 2023 with repeated, brand-level dietary records to estimate preservative exposures and track new disease cases.
- Sorbates, especially potassium sorbate (E202), were associated with a 14% higher overall cancer risk and a 26% higher breast cancer risk, while sodium nitrite (E250) was linked to about 32% higher prostate cancer risk and potassium nitrate (E252) to 13% higher overall and 22% higher breast cancer risk.
- Twelve preservatives were tied to a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes, with potassium sorbate (E202) associated with roughly double the frequency compared with the lowest exposure group.
- The authors stress the studies are observational and note possible confounding, pointing out that sulfites are common in alcoholic drinks, and they call for confirmatory and mechanistic research.
- Consumer groups urge bans or stricter limits on selected additives and reductions in ultra-processed foods, as no regulatory changes have been announced and others cite preservatives’ roles in food safety, shelf life, and affordability.