👉 Nitrites are a type of nitrogenous compound commonly found in some foods such as beer, wine, and some vegetables. They are formed when certain types of bacteria consume sugars or other organic compounds. Nitrites can be used to add flavor, color, or aroma to food products. The term "nitrite" is often used interchangeably with nitrate because they both contain the same nitrogen atom but have different formulas. Nitrites are typically used in cooking and food processing industries for their ability to add