Volatile nitrosamines in food.

The results of the systematic survey of food from the German market in regard to the occurrence of volatile nitrosamines are presented. The average daily intake for male persons amount to 1.1 microgram for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and 0.1-0.15 microgram for N-nitroso-pyrrolidine (NPYR). About 64% of this total daily intake for NDMA is found in beer, 10% result from cured meat products. The surprising contamination of beer is formed during the drying (kilning) of malt and can be eliminated.