Common Food Preservative Linked to Rising Suicide Deaths Among Young People

UK forensic researchers found a sharp rise in suspected suicides involving sodium nitrite from 2019 to 2024.

Most cases involved young people, especially young men, raising concern about a growing and preventable death method.

The review says routine testing is limited, so the true scale may be underestimated.

Researchers are calling for tighter regulation, better warnings, and stricter control of access to the food preservative.