YenzoWhat is E252 (potassium nitrate)?
It is potassium nitrate, the potassium salt of nitric acid. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT puts E252 in the nitrates group of Appendix 2B.
E252Potassium nitrate
E252 is potassium nitrate (saltpetre), the potassium 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? The nitrates group (INS 251 and 252) was added to Appendix 2B of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT by Circular 17/2023/TT-BYT, in force from 9 November 2023; for meat without heat treatment the maximum is 100 mg/kg.
- Code
- E252 · INS 252
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 2B
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 E252 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour retention agent (252), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour retention agent (252)colour retention agent 252E252INS 252kali nitratpotassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate in food
Meat without heat treatment (whole cuts, minced)
Questions about potassium nitrate
Is potassium 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 E252 permitted in Vietnam?
Potassium nitrate (INS 252) has no row of its own in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, but it is in Appendix 2B (the nitrates group, with sodium nitrate), with maximum use levels for some uncooked meat products.
Can children and pregnant women have potassium 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 nitritehighE251Sodium nitratehighE330Citric acidvery lowE375Nicotinic acid (niacin)very lowE385Calcium disodium EDTAlow
See all colour retention agents →Found in these products
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 (nhóm nitrat, chú thích 19)
- JECFA (FAO/WHO) evaluation database: Potassium nitrate, INS 252