Table I.2.

Results from the implementation of a Critical Appraisal Tool

Ref ID	Does the treatment described in the text reflect the recent practises used to prepare meat products as available on the European market?a	Were appropriate control samples used?b	Were the methods used for the measurement of nitrates/nitrites and nitrosamines appropriate?c	Was the design of experiments and the methodology adequately reported?	Were important additional factors considered?	Was the variability reported?
3672	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
3722	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
3784	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
3816	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
3843	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
3919	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
3936	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
4080	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
4089	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
4170	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
4220	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
4272	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
4283	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
4333	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
4355	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
4378	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
4385	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
4386	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
4440	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
4516	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
4574	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
4637	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
4666	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
4727	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
4731	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
4750	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
4776	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
4796	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
4820	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
4864	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
4870	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
4872	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
5809	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

^aIn this question, ‘treatment/s’ refer to sample preparation appropriateness including sample manipulation and addition of compounds such as nitrates, salt and others.

^bAlthough the use of controls in the studies was not an inclusion criterion, the use of controls in experimental studies was considered important for the quality assessment of the studies included in the review.

^cAlthough the reference to LOD in the studies was an inclusion criterion, studies suggesting the availability of LOD were also considered.

a,b,c These criteria have been considered important for the selection of acceptable quality studies.