FOOD ADDITIVE

E250

Sodium Nitrite

Most complete information about food additive Sodium Nitrite (E250) - What is it? Is it harmful to health?

E250 (Sodium Nitrite) - preservative and color fixative for meat products, prevents botulism development and provides stable pink color
консервант • Preservative • Color Fixative • Antibacterial Agent
✓ Restricted use - strictly regulated dosage 50-150 mg/kg product
CN: Allowed with restrictions according to GB 2760-2014 EU: Allowed by EU Directive 95/2/EC with maximum level 150 mg/kg JP: Allowed as food additive with established usage norms RU: Allowed with maximum level 50 mg/kg in finished product according to TR TS 029/2012 US: GRAS status from FDA with limitation 200 ppm in finished meat products

Sodium Nitrite (E250) - Essential Preservative for Meat Industry

E250 is critically important for meat product safety - prevents development of deadly botulism. When strictly following dosage regulations (up to 50 mg/kg finished product) it is considered safe. Has dual effect: protects from bacteria but requires caution due to potential nitrosamine formation.

🌿
ORIGIN
plant
Synthetic origin
⚕️
SAFETY
разрешена
Limited application with dosage control
👶
FOR CHILDREN
Безопасна
Not recommended for children under 3 years
🤰
PREGNANCY
Безопасна
In normal amounts from products

📊 Daily Intake Norm (ADI)

0.07 mg/kg
Established Daily Dose
According to JECFA/EFSA
5 mg
Maximum for 70 kg person
Safe Amount per Day

⚡ Health Effects

✅ Protective Properties:

  • Prevents development of deadly botulism in meat products
  • Provides stable pink color to meat products
  • Extends product shelf life by preventing fat oxidation
  • Has antibacterial properties against wide range of microorganisms
  • Prevents development of deadly botulism in meat products
  • Provides stable pink color to meat products
  • Extends product shelf life by preventing fat oxidation
  • Has antibacterial properties against wide range of microorganisms

⚠️ Potential Risks:

  • May form carcinogenic nitrosamines during high-temperature processing
  • Causes methemoglobinemia with significant dosage exceedance
  • Potentially increases stomach cancer risk with regular excessive consumption
  • May cause headaches and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
  • May form carcinogenic nitrosamines during high-temperature processing
  • Causes methemoglobinemia with significant dosage exceedance
  • Potentially increases stomach cancer risk with regular excessive consumption
  • May cause headaches and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

💊 Medication Interactions:

Nitroglycerin and other nitrates: (dangerous) - May enhance methemoglobin formation and cause oxygen deprivation
Hypertension medications: (moderate) - May potentiate vasodilatory effect
Anticoagulants (Warfarin): (moderate) - May affect drug metabolism in liver
Sulfonamide antibiotics: (moderate) - Possible enhancement of toxic effects on blood
Diabetes medications: (mild) - May slightly affect glucose levels

🔬 Chemical Properties

Formula: NaNO₂
Molar Mass: 69.0000 g/mol
Appearance: White or slightly yellowish crystalline powder
Solubility: Well soluble in water, hygroscopic
CAS Number: 7632-00-0
Melting Point: 271°C (разлагается)
Quality Standards: GOST 4197-74, FSP 42-023-3123, Eur. Ph., USP

🏷️ Identification in Ingredients

Look on Package For:

E250 Sodium Nitrite Sodium nitriteNitrite de sodiumNatriumnitritसोडियम नाइट्राइटНитрит натрия

Shopping Tips:

  • Read composition on packaging
  • Prefer products with added ascorbic acid
  • Avoid products with unnaturally bright pink color
  • Check expiration dates of meat products

Commonly Found In:

  • Cooked sausages and frankfurters (50-100 mg/kg)
  • Ham and smoked meats (100-150 mg/kg)
  • Canned meats (50-150 mg/kg)
  • Salami and dry-cured sausages (100-200 mg/kg)
  • Meat semi-finished products (50-100 mg/kg)
  • Bacon and corned beef (120-180 mg/kg)
  • Meat pâtés (50-100 mg/kg)

👥 For Special Groups

👶

Children

For children over 3 years old, products with E250 should be given in limited quantities. Not recommended for children under 3 years due to immaturity of enzyme system.

🤰

Pregnancy & Lactation

During pregnancy, products with E250 can be consumed in moderate amounts as part of a balanced diet. Excessive consumption of meat products with nitrites should be avoided.

🧓

Elderly

For elderly people, E250 does not present additional risks when consumption norms are followed. However, possible interaction with hypertension medications should be considered.

📊 Comparison with other colorants

Code
Name
Origin
Safety
Action
E250
Sodium Nitrite
synthetic
restricted
E251
Details
E252
Details
E249
Details
E316
Details

📜 Historical Background

Sodium nitrite began to be used in food industry in early 20th century.

Before that, saltpeter (nitrates) was used for meat preservation.

In 1920s it was established that nitrites are responsible for color and antibacterial effect.

Since 1950s usage has been strictly regulated due to potential risks.

1906
First industrial application
1925
Antibacterial role established
1958
Strict dosage norms introduced
2.5 million tons
Annual production of nitrite salt

🎯 Consumption Simulator E250

Estimate your daily intake of sodium nitrite through various food products

0 mg
Current Consumption sodium nitrite
Optimal Level
Optimal
Normal
Excess
0 mg 2 mg 5 mg

Explanation: Exceeding the norm established by EFSA does not mean immediate harm, but is recommended for safe regular consumption.

Select products you consumed today:

📊Personal Norm Calculation

Daily Intake Norm: up to 0.07 mg per kg body weight

Recommended Maximum: 5 mg for 70 kg person

*Calculations are for reference only

*Actual content depends on manufacturer

🔬 Bioavailability & Absorption

With oral administration
85%
Through skin
5%
With inhalation
95%
With vitamin C
65%

⚠️ Problem:

Sodium nitrite is rapidly absorbed in gastrointestinal tract and can cause methemoglobinemia in case of overdose

✅ Solution:

  • Consume with foods rich in vitamin C
  • Avoid simultaneous intake with nitrates
  • Do not exceed established consumption norms
  • Prefer products with added ascorbic acid

💡 Tip:

To reduce nitrosamine formation, combine meat products with vegetables rich in antioxidants

🌿 Natural Sources

🌿
Synthetic productionObtained from nitrogen oxides and sodium hydroxide
99.9%
Synthetic production
0.1%
Natural sources
100+ years
Usage history

Industrial synthesis: Main method of production on industrial scale

Laboratory synthesis: Reduction of nitrates

Natural sources: Contained in minimal amounts in some vegetables

📚 Scientific Research

EFSA - Scientific Opinion on re-evaluation of sodium nitrite (E250)

EFSA Journal

↗ Open Research
WHO - Nitrites and nitrosamines: carcinogenic risk assessment

WHO

↗ Open Research
FDA - GRAS status for sodium nitrite in meat products

FDA

↗ Open Research
Study of nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia

PubMed

↗ Open Research
Role of nitrites in botulism prevention

Food Microbiology

↗ Open Research

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about E250

Is E250 harmful or not?

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E250 has a dual effect. On one hand, it prevents deadly botulism in meat products. On the other hand, with significant dosage exceedance or improper use it can form carcinogenic nitrosamines. When strictly following norms (up to 50 mg/kg finished product) it is considered conditionally safe.

Can E250 be given to children?

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E250 is not recommended for children under 3 years, as they do not yet have the necessary enzyme system for nitrite metabolism. For older children, products with E250 should be given in limited quantities.

Is E250 food additive dangerous or not?

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E250 is not dangerous when dosage regulations are strictly followed. Its main function is protection against botulism, a deadly disease. Risks occur only with significant exceedance of consumption norms or improper storage and preparation of products.

What is E250 made from?

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E250 is obtained synthetically by interaction of nitrogen oxides with sodium hydroxide. In the food industry it is usually used as nitrite salt (mixture with table salt) for convenient dosing and safety.

What is the effect of E250 on the body?

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In small doses E250 is metabolized to nitric oxide, which has vasodilatory action. With dosage exceedance it can cause methemoglobinemia - a condition where hemoglobin loses ability to carry oxygen. Long-term excessive consumption may increase risk of stomach cancer development.

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