E252 - The Oldest Food Preservative

Author: Victoria Aly Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

What is behind the E252 code on the food label and why is it still approved for use?

All E's on food labels whose numeric code begins with the first digit 2 are used as preservatives . Those of them, whose numerical expression is in the range 240-259, are from the group of the so-called nitrates . The code E252 in the food industry means potassium nitrate . It is probably the oldest preservative used to sterilize foods and prevent them from developing bacteria on them. Today E252 can be found on the labels of cheeses and meat products - smoked or cooked meats, sausages and more. In addition to bactericidal and preservative action, potassium nitrate helps to preserve the natural color of these foods for a longer time.

Potassium nitrate (E252) is approved for use as an additive in the food industry within the European Union, the United States and Australia. However, its long-term human health safety is still controversial.

There is no evidence that nitrates as a separate group cause adverse and dangerous reactions in the body after consumption. They are excreted quickly in the urine and do not stay long in the body. The danger in them comes from the possibility, getting into the body, under the influence of certain conditions to transform into nitrites . It has been found that enzyme complexes in saliva and gastric contents can convert the nitrate group to nitrite. An additional risk is the relatively high temperature of the internal environment of the body, which facilitates the course of this reaction. The resulting potassium nitrite can trigger a number of dangerous processes and interactions in the body.

The transformation of potassium nitrate to nitrite, especially in larger quantities, causes serious disorders in hematopoietic function and hemoglobin production . The effect is especially unpleasant in breastfeeding women, as the entry of nitrites through breast milk into the baby's body can trigger a condition known as cyanosis or blue baby syndrome. Serious risks of excessive consumption of E252 are also found in childhood, when the products obtained from the transformation of nitrates in the body can provoke hyperactivity, stomach discomfort, vomiting and more. Nitrites can also lead to dangerous consequences in adults. It has been established that anemia can be observed as a side effect of their formation in the body, kidney problems, even an increased risk of malignancy.

The risk of such effects is the use of another food supplement from the same group - E250 (sodium nitrite ). It is used for the same purposes as potassium nitrate, but is cheaper and more affordable.

Although not officially banned for use in the food industry, data on the side effects of the additive E252 are the reason why its use is strictly regulated in terms of quantity. It is believed that when consumed infrequently and in very small amounts, potassium nitrate does not pose health risks.

E252 - The Oldest Food Preservative

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