Additive guide
E252 Potassium nitratewhat it means on a food label
Traditional curing salt, same story as E251. Berry Pure flags additives like this during a scan so you can decide faster at the shelf.
Berry Pure verdict
Best avoided
E252 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 E252 or Potassium nitrate on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
Usually found in
Cured meats, charcuterie
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:
- E252
- Potassium nitrate
- Saltpetre
The evidence record
Potassium nitrate, historically called saltpeter, is evaluated together with sodium nitrate because both supply the nitrate ion. IARC classifies ingested nitrate or nitrite as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic, only under conditions that favour the body forming N-nitroso compounds; nitrate on its own is otherwise unremarkable. The Group 1 carcinogen is processed meat as a food, not the nitrate salt itself. The pathway of concern is indirect: nitrate converts to nitrite, which can form N-nitroso compounds, several of which cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Potassium nitrate is used as a curing salt in cured meats and some traditional cheeses, behaving as a reservoir that slowly yields nitrite during aging. Dietary nitrate exposure is dominated by vegetables and drinking water rather than additives. EFSA's 2017 re-evaluation kept the nitrate acceptable daily intake and found additive use within safe limits for the general population. The EU nonetheless tightened maximum permitted levels through Regulation (EU) 2023/2108, phased in from 9 October 2025, to hold nitrosamine formation as low as reasonably achievable.
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 sodium nitrate (E251)
Regulatory status
Permitted as a preservative in the EU, but Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 tightened the maximum permitted nitrate levels in meat and fishery products, phased in from 9 October 2025. It remains permitted for curing 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 E252 Potassium nitrate?
E252 is Potassium nitrate, a preservative used in foods such as cured meats, charcuterie. Traditional curing salt, same story as E251.
Is E252 bad for you?
E252 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 E252 or Potassium nitrate on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
How do I spot E252 on a label?
Look for these label names: E252, Potassium nitrate, Saltpetre. Some products spell out the additive name instead of using the E-number code.
Can Berry Pure flag E252?
Yes. Berry Pure scans ingredient labels with your camera and flags additives like E252 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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