Preservative · EU 251
Sodium Nitrate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Nitrate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #118 of 417.
- #118 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Nitrate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #118 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (72nd percentile).
- 2/5
- Caution
- Approved
- FDA status
- #118 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Sodium Nitrate: 149 tracked U.S. products (common band, #118 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 149 · #118 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 251 | 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 |
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 Sodium Nitrate?
SODIUM NITRATE is the chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. Sodium nitrate is a food additive used as a preservative and colour fixative in cured meats and poultry
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
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (149 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 149
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Nitrate safe to consume?
Sodium Nitrate scores 2/5 (Caution). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (149 tracked products, #118 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Sodium Nitrate used for in food?
Sodium Nitrate shows up as Processed foods, baked goods, beverages in the Preservative class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (149 products).
Where does Sodium Nitrate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #118 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Sodium Nitrate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Sodium 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.