Sodium nitrate (E251)
Updated October 2, 2026
Sodium nitrate (E251) is a food additive in the “preservatives” group. It appears in 2,170 products in our database, 816 of them sold in the US.
Quick facts
- Also known as
- E251
- E-number
- E251
- Function
- Preservatives
- Found in
- 2,170 products (816 sold in the US)
Foods that commonly contain Sodium nitrate
Share of published products in each category whose ingredient list includes Sodium nitrate.
Popular products with Sodium nitrate
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
d NOVA 3 
NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
e NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 Sodium nitrate-free alternatives
Popular products from the same categories that don't list Sodium nitrate and score Nutri-Score A–C.
b NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 How to spot Sodium nitrate on a label
Look for any of these names in the ingredient list:
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What foods contain Sodium nitrate?
In our database, Sodium nitrate most often appears in prepared meats, cheeses, gouda and sausages.
How many products contain Sodium nitrate?
2,170 published products on Foodmetria list Sodium nitrate, including 816 sold in the United States. Counts come from ingredient lists in Open Food Facts and update daily.
Product data: Open Food Facts (ODbL), updated daily. Additive information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always check the package label. Our methodology.