Additive · Preservative

E251 — Sodium nitrate

E251 (Sodium nitrate) appears in the ingredient lists of 7 products sold in South Africa. Function: preservative.

7products with a complete record

0%rated A or B on Nutri-Score

0,50 gsugars per 100 g (median)

1,8 gsalt per 100 g (median)

Nutri-Score

How rated products spread

A 0%B 0%C 0%D 50%E 50%

4 rated products

Per 100 g, across all 7 products

Listed in the FDA inventory “Substances Added to Food”, with the regulations 21 CFR 172.170, 172.175, 173.310.

Technical effects listed by the FDA: antimicrobial agent, color or coloring adjunct, flavor enhancer, flavoring agent or adjuvant, propellant

The inventory is a partial list, and a listing is not an FDA approval of every use; the regulations set the permitted uses.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Substances Added to Food (updated 9/8/2026), public domain · CAS 7631-99-4 via Wikidata (CC0)

Products listing this additive in each country edition of Shelfpedia (Open Food Facts data)

7 products, most viewed first.

Source: Open Food Facts export of 23 October 2026, ODbL · Shelfpedia calculations (medians, distributions).