Is E250 halal?

What is E250?

Sodium nitrite is a white to slightly yellow salt made industrially from nitrogen oxides and sodium compounds. In meat curing it fixes the pink colour, adds cured flavour and helps stop the growth of the bacteria that cause botulism.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

It is a mineral salt made by chemical processes, with no animal input, so the additive itself is generally treated as halal. The real question is the product: nitrite is used almost only in meat, so the meat and the slaughter must be halal. Halal-certified cured meats can contain it too.

How to check the label

Look for a halal certificate from a recognised body on the meat product. The additive may be listed as “sodium nitrite”, “preservative: E250” or as part of “nitrite curing salt”.

Where you'll find it

• sausages
• salami
• cooked deli meats
• cured meats

Good to know

• In 2017 EFSA kept the acceptable daily intake for nitrite at 0.07 mg per kg of body weight per day, expressed as nitrite ion.
• Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 lowered the maximum amounts of nitrite that may be added to meat and fishery products, applying from 9 October 2025.
• It is usually supplied mixed with ordinary salt, known as nitrite curing salt.

Similar additives

• E200 Sorbic acid Generally halal
• E202 Potassium sorbate Generally halal
• E211 Sodium benzoate Generally halal
• E220 Sulphur dioxide Generally halal
• E260 Acetic acid Generally halal
• E282 Calcium propionate Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EFSA: nitrites and nitrates added to food (2017)
2. EFSA re-evaluation of potassium and sodium nitrite (E 249–250) (2017)
3. AGRINFO: maximum levels of nitrites and nitrates lowered

Frequently asked questions