Do Foster Farms Have Nitrates? Understanding the Labels on Your Poultry

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, regular consumption of processed meat is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. With consumer concern on the rise, many wonder, 'Do Foster Farms have nitrates?' The answer depends heavily on the specific product and its processing method.

Quick Summary

Foster Farms offers both nitrate-free and nitrate-containing products, with the inclusion of nitrates determined by the item's processing. Cured meats like chicken franks typically use sodium nitrite, while many deli meats and sausages are labeled 'no nitrates added,' a term that accounts for naturally occurring nitrates.

Key Points

Product-Dependent Nitrate Use: The presence of nitrates in Foster Farms products depends on the specific item; some use synthetic nitrites while others use naturally occurring ones.
Cured vs. Uncured Labels: Products labeled “uncured” or “no nitrates added” often use natural nitrate sources like cultured celery juice powder, which serves the same preservative function.
Beware of Natural Sources: Naturally-sourced nitrates in “uncured” products are still chemical preservatives and can contribute to overall nitrate intake, so reading the full ingredient list is essential.
Best Options are Fresh: For a truly nitrate-free option, stick to fresh, raw poultry and minimally processed products from Foster Farms.
Limit Overall Processed Meat: Health recommendations suggest limiting all processed meat consumption, whether synthetically or naturally cured, to reduce potential health risks.

What's the Difference: Added vs. Natural Nitrates

Understanding the role of nitrates and nitrites in food is the first step to decoding food labels. Nitrates (NO3) and nitrites (NO2) are naturally occurring chemicals consisting of nitrogen and oxygen. They are found naturally in vegetables like spinach, beets, and celery, and are also produced by the human body. In vegetables, they are generally considered harmless and potentially beneficial for cardiovascular health, as they convert to nitric oxide.

However, in processed meats, the story changes. Nitrites are added to cured products like sausages and bacon for several reasons, including preventing the growth of harmful bacteria (like Clostridium botulinum), improving shelf life, and giving meat its characteristic pink or red color. When these added nitrites interact with protein-rich foods and are exposed to high heat (e.g., frying), they can form compounds called nitrosamines, which are considered carcinogenic.

For products labeled “uncured” or “no nitrates added,” manufacturers often use natural sources of nitrates, such as cultured celery juice powder. While this allows for the specific labeling, the naturally-sourced nitrates still fulfill the same preservative function and, in some cases, can even result in a higher nitrate content than conventionally cured meats. This is why reading the full ingredient list, not just the marketing claims, is so crucial for consumers.

Foster Farms Products and Their Nitrate Content

Foster Farms offers a diverse range of poultry products, and whether they contain nitrates is product-dependent. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect from different categories.

Products with Added Nitrites

Certain cooked and processed Foster Farms products contain added nitrites for preservation and color. A clear example is their Chicken Franks, where sodium nitrite is listed in the ingredients. These products should be consumed in moderation, especially if health experts advise limiting processed meat intake.

Products with "No Nitrates or Nitrites Added"

Many of Foster Farms' newer, premium, or specific lines are marketed as being free of added synthetic nitrates and nitrites. Examples include:

Certain Deli Meats: Product labels for items like their All Natural Sliced Turkey or Honey Roasted Turkey Breast explicitly state “No nitrates, no added hormones, and no artificial flavors”.
Some Chicken Sausages: Specific sausage varieties, such as the All Natural Chicken Apple Sausage, are labeled with the same "No added nitrates or nitrites" promise, along with the asterisk noting the presence of naturally occurring nitrates from celery juice powder.
All Natural Sliced Turkey: This line of lunchmeat is processed using High-Pressure Pasteurization (HPP), which eliminates the need for chemical preservatives while maintaining freshness.

Fresh and Minimally Processed Poultry

Fresh poultry from Foster Farms, such as raw chicken breasts or turkey, contains no added nitrates. These are minimally processed, handled only as necessary to clean and package the meat. Products like the fresh natural chicken and ground chicken with natural flavors are also confirmed to be gluten-free. For individuals concerned about nitrates, prioritizing these fresh and unprocessed options is the simplest and safest strategy.

Foster Farms Products: A Comparison of Nitrate Use


Product Type	Example	Added Nitrites?	Natural Nitrates?	Labeling	Processing Level
Chicken Franks	Foster Farms Chicken Franks	Yes (Sodium Nitrite)	No	Cured, ingredients list includes sodium nitrite	Heavily Processed
Deli Meat (Select)	All Natural Sliced Turkey	No	Yes (from cultured celery juice powder)	“No nitrates or nitrites added”	Processed (with HPP)
Chicken Sausage (Select)	Chicken Apple Sausage	No	Yes (from cultured celery juice powder)	“No added nitrates or nitrites”	Processed (cooked)
Fresh Poultry	Raw Chicken Breasts	No	No	No nitrates or nitrites added	Minimally Processed
Minimally Processed	Grilled Chicken Strips	No (only "natural flavor")	No	Low processing concerns	Minimally Processed

Nutritional Diet and Making Informed Choices

Choosing foods with or without nitrates is a personal decision that can depend on your overall dietary goals. For those aiming to reduce their intake of potentially harmful compounds, the following advice can be helpful:

Read Labels Carefully: Don't just rely on front-of-package claims. Turn the product over and read the full ingredient list. Look for sodium nitrite or potassium nitrite to identify conventionally cured products. For 'uncured' products, check for natural sources like celery powder or cultured celery juice powder.
Prioritize Fresh and Minimally Processed Foods: Choosing fresh, raw chicken and turkey is the best way to avoid added nitrates and nitrites. Fresh products require no curing and are the most straightforward option for a nitrate-free diet.
Limit Processed Meats: Health experts recommend limiting the consumption of all processed meats, regardless of whether they are cured with synthetic or natural nitrites. If you do enjoy these products, consider them an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.
Focus on Whole Foods: A diet rich in whole foods, especially antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, can help counter some of the negative effects of processed foods. Vegetables high in natural nitrates, such as beets and spinach, offer significant health benefits without the same risks associated with processed meats.

Conclusion

While the search for a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer to whether Foster Farms have nitrates proves complex, the key takeaway is product-specific knowledge. Foster Farms provides both products with added synthetic nitrites (like chicken franks) and those labeled "no nitrates added," which instead use naturally occurring nitrates from vegetable sources (like some deli meats). For consumers aiming for a diet low in nitrates, prioritizing fresh or minimally processed poultry and carefully reading ingredient lists for natural curing agents is essential. By understanding the distinction between added and natural preservatives, you can make smarter, more informed choices about the products you purchase.

: Foster Farms Enters Premium Lunchmeat Category with New Line of Lower-Sodium All Natural Sliced Turkey : The Truth about Nitrates in Food

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all Foster Farms products contain nitrates. Their range includes fresh poultry with no nitrates, as well as processed items like chicken franks that contain added sodium nitrite. Many of their deli meats and sausages are labeled 'no nitrates added' and use naturally occurring nitrates from vegetable sources.

The term 'cured' indicates that a product was preserved using synthetic sodium or potassium nitrite. 'Uncured' on a Foster Farms label means no synthetic nitrites were added, but the product is still preserved using nitrates derived from natural sources, most commonly cultured celery juice powder.

To identify products with added nitrates, check the ingredients list on the packaging. Ingredients like 'sodium nitrite' or 'potassium nitrite' indicate that synthetic nitrites were used in the curing process. For 'uncured' products, the ingredient list will typically mention a natural source like 'cultured celery juice powder'.

From a chemical standpoint, the nitrates are identical regardless of their source. The key difference lies in what the nitrates are packaged with. In whole vegetables, nitrates are accompanied by antioxidants like Vitamin C, which can inhibit the formation of harmful nitrosamines. However, in processed meats, this protective effect is less likely, and natural curing agents can still contribute a significant amount of nitrates.

For those who want to avoid nitrates entirely, the best choice is fresh, unprocessed poultry. This includes Foster Farms' raw chicken breasts, thighs, and other fresh cuts, which are minimally processed and contain no added nitrates or nitrites.

Some Foster Farms products labeled 'natural' may still contain nitrates, particularly those that are cured. For example, some 'All Natural' deli meats are cured using natural sources like celery powder, and are labeled 'no nitrates added (except those naturally occurring)'. Check the ingredient label to be sure.

Scientific research has linked the consumption of processed meats with an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. While nitrates and nitrites are not the only factor, they can form carcinogenic nitrosamines when cooked at high temperatures. Health experts advise limiting processed meat intake to minimize this risk.