Additive guide
E251 Sodium nitratewhat it means on a food label
Converts to nitrite during curing, with the same nitrosamine concern. Berry Pure flags additives like this during a scan so you can decide faster at the shelf.
Berry Pure verdict
Best avoided
E251 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 E251 or Sodium nitrate on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
Usually found in
Cured meats, some cheeses
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:
- E251
- Sodium nitrate
The evidence record
Nitrate itself is fairly inert; the concern arises after the body, and oral bacteria, convert a portion of it to nitrite, which can then form N-nitroso compounds with amines. IARC rates ingested nitrate or nitrite as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans, specifically under conditions that lead to nitrosation in the body. Processed meat, in which nitrate and nitrite are used for curing, is the Group 1 item. Sodium nitrate on its own carries no such classification, and much dietary nitrate comes from vegetables rather than additives.
Sodium nitrate acts as a slow-release curing agent in products such as dry-cured hams, salami, and some cheeses, gradually converting to nitrite over long ripening. EFSA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake for nitrate in 2017 and judged additive exposure to be within safe levels, noting that total nitrate intake is dominated by vegetables and water. To minimize nitrosamine formation, the EU lowered maximum permitted nitrate levels through Regulation (EU) 2023/2108, with new limits applying from 9 October 2025. The United States continues to allow it.
Acceptable daily intake
0 to 3.7 mg per kg of body weight per day expressed as nitrate ion (EFSA, 2017), a group ADI shared with potassium nitrate (E252)
Regulatory status
Permitted as a preservative in the EU; Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 lowered the maximum permitted levels of nitrates in meat and fishery products, with new limits applying from 9 October 2025. 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 E251 Sodium nitrate?
E251 is Sodium nitrate, a preservative used in foods such as cured meats, some cheeses. Converts to nitrite during curing, with the same nitrosamine concern.
Is E251 bad for you?
E251 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 E251 or Sodium nitrate on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
How do I spot E251 on a label?
Look for these label names: E251, Sodium nitrate. Some products spell out the additive name instead of using the E-number code.
Can Berry Pure flag E251?
Yes. Berry Pure scans ingredient labels with your camera and flags additives like E251 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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