YenzoWhat is E251 (sodium nitrate)?
It is sodium nitrate, the sodium salt of nitric acid. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists E251 as colour retention agent and preservative.
E251Sodium nitrate
E251 is sodium nitrate, the sodium salt of nitric acid. In cured meat, bacteria slowly turn it into nitrite, which keeps the meat pink and holds back bacteria.
Did you know? In the JECFA database sodium nitrate is also listed under the names Chile saltpetre and cubic (or soda) nitre.
- Code
- E251 · INS 251
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalehigh?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2023
How much a day stays within the ADI?SCF 1997, kept by EFSA 2017: 3.7 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day
about 0.2 g a daythat is 240 mg
How E251 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour retention agent (251), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour retention agent (251)colour retention agent 251E251INS 251natri nitratsodium nitrate
Sodium nitrate in food
Meat without heat treatment (whole cuts, minced)
SausagesQuestions about sodium nitrate
Is sodium nitrate harmful?
In 2017 EFSA kept the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 3.7 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as nitrate ion, set by the SCF (1997) and JECFA (2002). EFSA found that additives give less than 5% of the nitrate from food; counting all sources, the ADI was exceeded in all age groups.
Is E251 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Sodium nitrate (INS 251) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, as a colour retention agent and preservative.
Can children and pregnant women have sodium nitrate?
JECFA states that the nitrate ADI does not apply to infants below the age of 3 months. This source does not mention pregnant women separately.
Other colour retention agents
E249Potassium nitritehighE250Sodium nitritehighE252Potassium nitratehighE330Citric acidvery lowE375Nicotinic acid (niacin)very lowE385Calcium disodium EDTAlow
See all colour retention agents →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- EFSA Journal: Risk assessment of N-nitrosamines in food (2023): the margin of exposure raises a health concern for all age groups.
- EFSA Journal: Re-evaluation of sodium nitrate (E 251) and potassium nitrate (E 252) as food additives (2017).
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2B (nitrat, INS 251–252 và natri nitrat)
- JECFA (FAO/WHO) evaluation database: Sodium nitrate, INS 251