Potassium Nitrite

E249

Hazard level: High health concern Preservative (E200–299)

What is Potassium Nitrite?

Curing salt used in processed meats. Forms nitrosamines during cooking, a key mechanism behind IARC classifying processed meat as Group 1 carcinogenic.

Is Potassium Nitrite safe?

Potassium Nitrite is a high health concern. Consider limiting products that contain it.

Score impact: −15 points on the FoodsScan score (FoodsScan scores run 0–100, where 100 is best.)

Found in 1 of 12,846 analysed products in the FoodsScan database.

Regulatory sources: IARC, EFSA

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Also known as

Potassium Nitrite is also known as e249, potassium nitrite — these all refer to the same ingredient.

potassium nitrite e249

Related additives

Sodium Nitrite (E250) Citric Acid (E330) Pork Meat Sodium Ascorbate (E301) Salt (Sodium Chloride) Glucose (Dextrose) Spices Wood Smoke (Beechwood) Sorbic Acid (E200) Sodium Sorbate (E201) Potassium Sorbate (E202) Calcium Sorbate (E203) Benzoic Acid (E210) Sodium Benzoate (E211) Potassium Benzoate (E212) Calcium Benzoate (E213)

Products containing Potassium Nitrite

Rohschinken

Rohschinken 4063367312540

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