Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E251 - Sodium nitrate

Overview

E210 - Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid (E210) is a preservative used to help keep acidic foods and drinks safe and fresh by slowing the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria. It occurs naturally in small amounts in some berries and fermented foods, and is also made for food use under strict purity standards.

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E251 - Sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrate (E251) is a preservative used mainly in long-cured meats and a few traditional cheeses. In these foods, it acts as a slow source of nitrite, which helps keep the food safe and keeps the cured color and flavor. When used within regulations, it is considered safe for the general population.

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Synonyms
E210
Benzoic acid
E251
Sodium nitrate
Functions
preservative
preservative
Origins
Plant
Synthetic
Synthetic
Mineral
Products

Found in 386 products

Found in 818 products

Search rank & volume
#7533.2K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#7931K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×12.42
over-aware

×5.52
over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. Is benzoic acid soluble in water?

    Only sparingly—about 3 g per liter at room temperature; its solubility increases in hot water and it dissolves readily in many organic solvents.

  2. Is benzoic acid polar?

    It has a polar carboxyl group but a nonpolar aromatic ring, so overall it’s only weakly polar; its benzoate salt is much more polar and water‑soluble.

  3. Is benzoic acid a strong acid?

    No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.

  4. What is the melting point of benzoic acid?

    About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).

  5. Is benzoic acid bad for you?

    At approved food levels it’s considered safe, with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight/day; some people may experience irritation or hypersensitivity, and benzene formation in certain acidic drinks is monitored and kept very low.

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  1. What is sodium nitrate used for?

    In foods, sodium nitrate (E251) is used as a preservative and color-fixative in cured meats and some cheeses, where it slowly converts to nitrite to help inhibit harmful bacteria and maintain the characteristic pink color.

  2. Is sodium nitrate bad for you?

    At permitted food levels it's considered safe; regulators set an acceptable daily intake of 3.7 mg nitrate ion per kg body weight per day. High intakes from processed meats are linked to increased colorectal cancer risk, so levels are strictly controlled and often paired with ascorbate to limit nitrosamines.

  3. Is sodium nitrate soluble in water?

    Yes—it's highly water-soluble (about 90 g per 100 g water around room temperature), with solubility increasing as temperature rises.

  4. How to get sodium nitrate nms?

    That refers to the video game No Man’s Sky and is outside the scope of food additives; in foods, sodium nitrate is a curing preservative mainly used in dry-cured meats.

  5. Is sodium nitrate soluble?

    Yes; it is very soluble in water and only sparingly soluble in alcohols, while being essentially insoluble in nonpolar solvents.

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