E249 Potassium Nitrite — Is it safe?

01 / 04What it is

E249 in plain English

Used to cure meat. Reacts with amines during digestion to form N-nitroso compounds, which IARC classifies as probably carcinogenic to humans (group 2A).

Forms nitrosamines in cured meats — probable carcinogen.

02 / 04Why it's used

It buys shelf life.

To inhibit the growth of mould, yeast and bacteria, extending the shelf life of products well beyond what they would otherwise tolerate.

preservative

03 / 04Health concerns

A real concern.

Banned in at least one major jurisdiction, or IARC group 2B (possibly carcinogenic).

04 / 04Regulatory status

How the world's regulators rule

Australia · FSANZ: Permitted
Banned jurisdictions: None recorded
Filtr risk tier: High risk
Filtr score penalty: −6 points
Category: Preservative

Sources & further reading

01 citation

IARC Monographs
monographs.iarc.who.int

Connected files

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E200
Sorbic Acid
Safe
Widely used mould and yeast inhibitor; well tolerated.
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E202
Potassium Sorbate
Safe
Common mould inhibitor; recognised safe.
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E203
Calcium Sorbate
Low risk
Sorbate preservative no longer authorised in the EU.
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E210
Benzoic Acid
Moderate
Preservative that can form trace benzene with vitamin C; a pseudo-allergen.
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E102
Tartrazine
High risk
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E104
Quinoline Yellow
High risk
Synthetic yellow dye from the Southampton six; banned in the US.
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