You may be surprised to hear that when it comes to food, “raw” doesn’t necessarily mean “unprocessed.” Fresh meat may contain extra phosphorus or potassium, which is added by processors to improve flavor or increase shelf life. That’s a potentially serious threat to people with kidney disease, who need to limit their intake of these substances. A study found two to three times as much potassium or phosphorus in raw, processed meats as in similar cuts of unprocessed meats. While some meat labels listed additives, others only hinted at their contents with terms like “enhanced,” “cured,” or “added solution.” Still others had no indication at all that the meat had additives. Watching your potassium or phosphorus? Look for meats labeled “additive-free.”
Source: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, August 2009