Preservative · EU 249
Potassium Nitrite
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Potassium Nitrite is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #351 of 417.
- #351 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Potassium Nitrite is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #351 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (14th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #351 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Potassium Nitrite: composite 4/5 (Low Risk) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 249 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 2 | 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.
What is Potassium Nitrite?
Potassium Nitrite is a food additive (249) classified as preservative.
Health Concerns
- Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Potassium Nitrite
Product-count (2) and safety-score (4/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 4/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Potassium Nitrite safe to consume?
Potassium Nitrite scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. In the lower-concern band the federal listing is the primary signal; EU status is Approved. Moderation still applies to any additive.
What is Potassium Nitrite used for in food?
Potassium Nitrite is commonly used as: Processed foods, baked goods, beverages. It belongs to the Preservative category of food additives.
Where does Potassium Nitrite sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #351 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Potassium Nitrite?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Potassium Nitrite: Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.