E249
E249: Potassium nitrite
High concernFunction: preservative
What is E249?
E249 (Potassium nitrite) is a preservative used in processed foods.
What the research says
Used to cure meat. It can form nitrosamines, and the WHO's cancer agency (IARC) classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
Regulatory status
| European Union | Approved |
|---|---|
| United States | Approved |
Questions people ask
Is E249 (Potassium nitrite) safe?
Used to cure meat. It can form nitrosamines, and the WHO's cancer agency (IARC) classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).
Why is E249 added to food?
It is used as a preservative.
Does E249 make a food ultra-processed?
Not on its own. E249 is not one of the cosmetic additives the NOVA system uses to identify ultra-processed foods.