Noun
nitrite used to preserve and color food especially in meat and fish products; implicated in the formation of suspected carcinogens
Source: WordNetMore modern "examples of salts that are used as preservatives include sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium nitrate (NaNO 3 ) and sodium nitrite (NaNO 2 ). Source: Internet
It is typically a combination of salt and sodium nitrite, with the pink color added to distinguish it from ordinary salt. Source: Internet