Nitrates? Not in Our House
We’ve always been unapologetic about doing biltong our way – high‑protein, big flavour and no shortcuts. When we launched our award‑winning Original Beef Biltong, we said it would embarrass other snacks – and it did. Now we’re upping the ante by removing one more thing: added nitrates.
Why does that matter? Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives used in many cured meats to inhibit bacteria, keep meat pink and add umami. Dietitians warn that added nitrates in processed meats can react with protein during high‑heat cooking to form nitrosamines, a group of compounds linked to an increased cancer risk. Health experts note that eating too many processed meats containing added nitrates and nitrites is associated with higher rates of cancer, while naturally occurring nitrates in vegetables pose no such risk.
Ultra‑processed foods (UPFs) – those factory‑made products loaded with sugar, salt, saturated fat and additives – are another red flag. According to the NOVA classification system, UPFs include ready‑to‑eat products like sausages, jerky and energy bars. Health authorities warn that these foods often contain additives such as non‑sugar sweeteners, emulsifiers, colourants, nitrates and nitrites, and evidence is emerging that these additives can harm gut health and drive inflammation. Processed meats had the highest association with poor health and early death in a recent study on UPF consumption. In short, nitrates and ultra‑processing don’t belong in a healthy diet.
That’s why we spent twelve months reformulating our biltong to remove nitrates completely. We used natural curing methods, longer marination and gentle air‑drying to create a product that’s even more tender, but 100 % nitrate‑free, with no artificial preservatives and no added sugar. It still delivers the double punch of flavour and protein you expect from The Curators, with around 13 grams of protein per 25 gram pack and not a hint of nasties.
Ultra‑Processed? Not Us
Ultra‑processed foods are factory‑made concoctions that contain little or no whole food. They’re typically high in sugar, saturated fat and salt and low in fibre and micronutrients. Our Beef Biltong flips that script: it’s high in quality protein, zero carb, low in fat and sugar and now free from added nitrates. By choosing grass‑fed British and Irish beef and traditional air‑drying over chemical shortcuts, we show that a savoury snack can be functional without being ultra‑processed. And because our biltong is so nutrient‑dense, it fits into HFSS‑compliant snacking as well as keto, low‑carb and high‑protein lifestyles.
The Move That’s Stirring Up Social Media
We didn’t just make this change quietly; we celebrated it with our community. On LinkedIn we announced that our award‑winning biltong is now 100 % nitrate‑free, noting that it’s a big win for snackers looking to cut down on ultra‑processed foods. Over on Instagram we reminded fans that the same knockout flavour now has cleaner ingredients and urged them to grab a bag at Waitrose. The TikTok community went nuts for our “Biltong built different” clip, which highlights 13 g of protein per pack, low sugar, low carb, British & Irish beef and seriously seasoned flavour. And our favourite piece of content? A reel by @tonichealth – a nutrition influencer with an eye for genuinely healthy hacks – calling our biltong the ultimate healthy snack find in Waitrose. When an independent health creator shouts about your product, you know you’re doing something right.
Cutting Nitrates, Not Corners
Our decision to go nitrate‑free isn’t about jumping on a bandwagon; it’s about raising the bar. Ultra‑processed meats have earned their bad reputation for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon savoury snacks. We believe protein should be exciting, not dusty, and that snacks should do more for you than just fill a hole. By removing nitrates and leaning into natural curing, we’re showing that high‑protein snacking can be clean and delicious.
So, the next time you see “nitrate‑free” on our pack, know that it’s not a gimmick. It’s the result of months of work and a commitment to giving you more flavour, more protein, more satisfaction – with none of the bad stuff. Whether you’re fuelling a workout, smashing PBs or just need a savoury fix, our biltong is there to feed your fighting spirit while keeping you out of the ultra‑processed danger zone.
Ready to taste the upgrade? Grab our nitrate‑free Biltong at Waitrose or online now and join the movement to snack smarter.
