Sodium Nitrite (E250) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Sodium Nitrite?
Sodium nitrite is a preservative used primarily in cured and processed meats. It plays a critical dual role: preventing the growth of Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria responsible for botulism) and preserving the characteristic pink/red color of cured meats. While it provides important food safety benefits, it is also associated with the formation of nitrosamines — compounds linked to increased cancer risk.
What Is It Used For?
Used in cured meats like bacon, hot dogs, ham, sausages, and salami to prevent bacterial growth, especially botulism, and to maintain the appealing red-pink color consumers expect.
Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
Sodium nitrite can react with amines in food or in the body to form nitrosamines, several of which are classified as probable or possible carcinogens (Group 2A or 2B) by the IARC. In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens, partly due to nitrite/nitrosamine content. The IARC also noted that red meat consumption is 'probably carcinogenic' (Group 2A). However, regulatory bodies maintain that the benefits of botulism prevention outweigh risks at permitted levels. Many manufacturers now offer 'uncured' products using celery powder, which contains naturally occurring nitrates — but these may produce similar or higher nitrate/nitrite levels.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Sodium Nitrite an editorial context label of Questionable with a score of 4/10. This is 1.7 points below the database average for preservatives (5.7/10). Dataset reference year: 2017.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E250 or 'Sodium Nitrite'
▶Chemical Information
Primary Sources
Source review: 2026-08-08Official references relevant to this page. Check the agency record for current permitted uses, limits and jurisdiction-specific wording.
- European Commission: EU Food Additives Database ↗EU authorisations and conditions of use
- WHO / FAO JECFA: JECFA food-additives database ↗International evaluations and acceptable daily intakes
- European Food Safety Authority: EFSA confirms safe levels for nitrites and nitrates added to food ↗EFSA nitrite and nitrate acceptable daily intakes
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Additive Status List ↗U.S. food-ingredient regulatory references
- European Food Safety Authority: Food additives ↗EFSA food-additive safety assessment process
Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Nitrite
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E250
- INS Number
- 250
- Category
- Preservatives
- Origin
- Synthetic
- FDA Status
- Approved (strict limits)
- EFSA Status
- Authorized (strict limits)
- ADI
- 0-0.07 mg/kg bw/day
- Dataset Review
- 2017
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Quick Links
Related Additives
Other preservatives in the same family