Sodium nitrite

Also known as: E250, nitrite curing salt

Higher concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Sodium nitrite is a curing and preservative ingredient used in specified meat, poultry and fish applications.

Why people ask

It is searched because the permitted-use rule sits alongside an IARC hazard-classification signal for ingested nitrite under endogenous nitrosation conditions.

What our method flags — by use

Food · US / IARC

Our method rates sodium nitrite as higher-concern: it is permitted only under specified uses, and IARC carries a named hazard-classification signal for ingested nitrite conditions.

The US restricted by regulation sodium nitrite to specified foods and prescribed conditions under 21 CFR 172.175.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
eCFR / US FDA	The US restricted by regulation sodium nitrite to specified foods and prescribed conditions under 21 CFR 172.175.	authority_regulatory	2026-07-06	source
IARC Monographs	IARC classified nitrate or nitrite (ingested) under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).	authority_regulatory / --	2026-07-03	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Fair (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, sodium nitrite contributes a higher concern signal where the ingredient is present; the page keeps the IARC signal scoped to the classified exposure condition.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

Common questions

Does the nitrite cell cover every nitrate or nitrite exposure?: No. The evidence cell is limited to the IARC exposure condition named in the table.

This is what Sodium nitrite is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.