Additive guide
E249 Potassium nitritewhat it means on a food label
Curing salt that can form nitrosamines, the compounds behind the processed-meat cancer classification. Berry Pure flags additives like this during a scan so you can decide faster at the shelf.
Berry Pure verdict
Best avoided
E249 is on Berry Pure's best-avoided list because the evidence record includes a ban, warning-label requirement, regulatory action, or a consistent health concern. The practical move is simple: if you see E249 or Potassium nitrite on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
Usually found in
Cured meats
If these are regular buys in your kitchen, scan a few brands side by side. Additive use can vary a lot between similar products.
Additive family
Preservative
Stop mould, bacteria and spoilage.
How to spot it on a label
Manufacturers may use the E-number code, the full additive name, or a common alternative name. These are the label terms to check:
- E249
- Potassium nitrite
The evidence record
Potassium nitrite shares the safety profile of sodium nitrite, and EFSA assesses the two together under one group acceptable daily intake because both release the same nitrite ion. IARC lists processed meat as Group 1, carcinogenic to humans, based on colorectal cancer evidence, while ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that favour nitrosation inside the body is rated Group 2A, probably carcinogenic. The chemical concern is that nitrite can combine with amines to form N-nitroso compounds. Nitrite itself is not classified Group 1: that label applies to processed meat as a food.
Potassium nitrite is used less widely than sodium nitrite but serves the same curing purpose, fixing colour and inhibiting Clostridium botulinum in cured and fermented meats. EFSA reconfirmed the group acceptable daily intake in 2017 and found additive exposure generally within safe limits, with a possible slight exceedance among children who eat large amounts of these foods. The EU responded by lowering permitted maximum levels through Regulation (EU) 2023/2108, phased in for meat and fishery products from 9 October 2025, to hold nitrosamine formation as low as possible.
Acceptable daily intake
0 to 0.07 mg per kg of body weight per day expressed as nitrite ion (EFSA, 2017), a group ADI shared with sodium nitrite (E250)
Regulatory status
Permitted as a preservative in the EU, but Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 lowered the maximum amounts of nitrites allowed in meat and fishery products, with the new limits applying from 9 October 2025 to keep nitrosamine formation as low as possible. It remains permitted as a curing agent in the United States.
Related additives
Same family, similar label context, or the same Berry Pure verdict.
Frequently askedquestions
Everything you need to know about scanning your food with Berry Pure.
What is E249 Potassium nitrite?
E249 is Potassium nitrite, a preservative used in foods such as cured meats. Curing salt that can form nitrosamines, the compounds behind the processed-meat cancer classification.
Is E249 bad for you?
E249 is on Berry Pure's best-avoided list because the evidence record includes a ban, warning-label requirement, regulatory action, or a consistent health concern. The practical move is simple: if you see E249 or Potassium nitrite on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
How do I spot E249 on a label?
Look for these label names: E249, Potassium nitrite. Some products spell out the additive name instead of using the E-number code.
Can Berry Pure flag E249?
Yes. Berry Pure scans ingredient labels with your camera and flags additives like E249 so you do not have to memorize code numbers while shopping.
Sources
The claims on this page are based on these publications.
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