Nitrite level of pickled vegetables in Northeast China

► The content of nitrite in pickled vegetable samples consumed in China, was analyzed. ► Nitrite >20 mg/kg was detected in 9 (4 %) samples, ranging from 0.01 to 42.03 mg/kg. ► In China, nitrite is widely present in pickled vegetables in low levels. ► The content of nitrite in unpackaged product was higher than that in packaged one.