FDA Status
Approved
Potassium Nitrate (252) is a preservative additive holding a composite safety score of 2 out of 5 (Caution). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently classifies it as Approved, while the European Union lists it as Approved. This ingredient appears in approximately 42 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Processed foods, baked goods, beverages.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting Potassium Nitrate to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Potassium Nitrate, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2017/06/15, with an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 3.7. EFSA has noted an overexposure risk classification of "high" for typical consumption patterns. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 252 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | — | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | 3.7 | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 42 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
2.0 / 5
Composite Safety Caution
Safety Score: 2 out of 5
Safety Rating 40.0%
EU Status
Approved
252
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
Potassium Nitrate receives a safety score of 2/5 (Caution) based on a composite analysis of FDA regulatory status, EU approval, scientific literature on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. The FDA has approved Potassium Nitrate for use in food products under specified conditions.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Potassium Nitrate. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
What is Potassium Nitrate?
POTASSIUM NITRATE is a chemical compound with the chemical formula KNO3. The widespread adoption of nitrate use is more recent and is linked to the development of large-scale meat processing. potassium nitrate is still used in some food applications, such as salami, dry-cured ham, charcuterie.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of sodium nitrate -E 251- and potassium nitrate -E 252- as food additives. EFSA overexposure risk: high
Common Uses
Processed foods, baked goods, beverages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Potassium Nitrate safe to consume?
Potassium Nitrate has a safety score of 2/5 (Caution). Scientific studies have raised health concerns. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Potassium Nitrate used for in food?
Potassium Nitrate is commonly used as: Processed foods, baked goods, beverages. It belongs to the Preservative category of food additives.
Is Potassium Nitrate banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting Potassium Nitrate. However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Potassium Nitrate?
The FDA classifies Potassium Nitrate as "Approved", while the EU status is "Approved" (252). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks — the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Potassium Nitrate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Potassium Nitrate: EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of sodium nitrate -E 251- and potassium nitrate -E 252- as food additives. EFSA overexposure risk: high. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Potassium Nitrate calculated?
The safety score of 2/5 for Potassium Nitrate is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
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Related Data Sources
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Resources
Related Preservative Ingredients
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official EWG, FDA GRAS, and ingredient toxicology databases. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainIngredients Editorial