E250 - Sodium nitrite
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E250, sodium nitrite, is the curing salt that keeps processed meat pink and protects it against botulism.
Frankfurters, pastrami, salami, cold cuts. Without nitrite they would be grey-brown and more exposed to botulism. In our catalog almost all of its uses, 110 of 160, are in meat products.
The WHO classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, and researchers point to nitrites as one of the likely reasons. Products labelled "no added nitrites" sometimes use celery powder instead, which contains nitrites naturally.
160 products in our catalog contain E250, or 1.0% of those with an ingredient list. Most of them are meat products.
E250 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Sodium nitrite |
| Function | Preservative |
| Origin | Plant, mineral or synthetic |
| Vegan / vegetarian | Yes / Yes |
Is E250 vegan?
Yes. E250 has no animal source, so it suits both vegans and vegetarians.