Foods Containing E251 (Sodium Nitrate)
E251 (Sodium Nitrate) is a mineral curing salt, mined or produced synthetically, used as a preservative to help prevent spoilage by stopping the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeasts. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E251
E251 is used across soft drinks, dried fruit, processed meats, sauces, baked goods and wine. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Soft drinks
- Dried fruit
- Processed meats
- Sauces
- Baked goods and wine
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E251 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E251" or as "Sodium Nitrate".
How to spot E251 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "preservatives: E251" or "preservatives: sodium nitrate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Sodium Nitrate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E251?
E251 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. Nitrites and nitrates in processed meat can form nitrosamines, and the WHO classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans — the main reason health bodies advise limiting cured meats. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E251 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E251: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).