Under the temporary allowance, a portion of synthetic sodium nitrite and sodium erythorbate used to cure a ham could be substituted with sodium nitrite from a plant-based source.
Some establishments under federal inspection are experiencing supply chain shortages of synthetic sodium nitrite used to cure meat and poultry products.
APHIS funds 60 projects led by 38 states, land-grant universities and industry organizations to enhance the ability to rapidly respond to animal disease outbreaks.