PURPOSE: To suppress the formation of carcinogenic nitroso compounds in food by treating a food (or its raw material) with nitrous acid followed by adding a specific nitrous acid scavenger to the food being in production to effect removing (part of) said nitrous acid.

CONSTITUTION: After treating a food or its raw material with nitrous acid, pref. 0.01-1.00wt.% of a nitrous acid scavenger consisting of (A) a bound product from p-aminobenzoic acid and (B) a polymeric substance permitted as a food additive (pref. having amino group reactive with the carboxyl group of said p-aminobenzoic acid) is added to the food being in production to effect removing (part of) the nitrous acid contained in said food, thus suppressing the formation of carcinogenic nitroso compounds in the food.