Comparing E251 - Sodium nitrate vs E326 - potassium lactate

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Overview

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.

E326 - potassium lactate

Potassium lactate (E326) is the potassium salt of lactic acid. Food makers use it to control acidity, keep foods moist, and help slow the growth of harmful bacteria in products like cooked meats and poultry. It has a mild, slightly salty taste and is widely approved for use in many countries.

Synonyms

E251

Sodium nitrate

E326

potassium lactate

Functions

preservative

acidity regulator humectant preservative

Origins

Products

Found in 818 products

Found in 2,226 products

Search rank & volume

#7931K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#2831.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×5.52

over-aware

×0.07

under-aware

Search volume over time

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

Popular questions

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