E251
Sodium nitrate
Preservative
What it is
A slower-acting curing salt used in long-matured meats and some cheeses.
What it does
Preservative
Slows spoilage caused by micro-organisms, so food stays safe for longer.
Regulatory position
European Union
Authorised for use in food
Authorisation in one country says nothing about another, and the absence of a record here is not evidence either way. Where precision matters, follow the citation to the regulation itself.