The index E250 is better known as sodium salt obtained from nitrous acid. This food additive has a major role in fixing or enhancing color and serving as a preservative in the food industry.
One of the main characteristics of the substance, is that it has a white or yellow color, a crystalline powder form and dissolves well in water.
What is E250 used for?
Sodium nitrite is mainly used in the production of various sausages and smoked meats. Its main function is to give them their characteristic rose-red color. However, limited amounts of nitrites should be used for this purpose, as they are dangerous to human health.
In Europe, E250 is allowed as an additive only to salt and up to an amount of 0.6%.
Sodium nitrite also finds use in other areas, such as construction, where it is added to concrete. In addition, the substance serves:
- in the production of cellulose and paper;
- in the chemical and textile industries;
- in medicine;
- in metallurgy and other fields.
Regarding human health, sodium nitrite helps in the treatment of a number of diseases such as:
- anemia;
- heart attacks;
- ischemic heart disease;
- sickle cell anemia;
- brain aneurysm;
- pulmonary hypertension, etc.
It is generally accepted, that the food additive E250 has a toxic nature and is essentially a carcinogen.
If you consume fish or meat products, that have undergone heat treatment with sodium nitrate, this can cause the development of cancers.
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