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Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)

E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)

Highlight Diffs (10)

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) →

E150a (Class I / Plain Caramel) is produced by controlled thermal heating of food carbohydrates without ammonium or sulfite compounds. INS 150a, ADI is Not Specified, yielding a warm brown-amber color in spirits, whiskey, and vinegars.

View full E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) spec sheet →

E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) →

E251 (Sodium Nitrate / NaNO3) is an inorganic salt serving as a slow-release chemical reservoir of nitrite in long-aged cured meats and hard cheeses. INS 251, ADI is 3.7 mg/kg bw/day, enzymatically reduced into nitrite over months of curing.

View full E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)	E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)
E-Number Code	E150a	E251
INS / Codex Number	INS 150a	INS 251
Functional Class	Food Color (Brown), Aromatic Flavoring	Preservative, Curing Agent, Antimicrobial
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Highest purity class)	3.7 mg / kg body weight per day (as nitrate ion)
Primary Mechanism	Pyrolysis and non-enzymatic caramelization forming high-molecular-weight chromophores	Micrococcus and Staphylococcus bacterial nitrate reductase slowly converts nitrate (NO3-) into bioactive nitrite (NO2-)
Common Target Foods	Scotch whisky, bourbon, brandy, rum, balsamic vinegar, craft ales	Prosciutto di Parma, dry-cured salamis, Gouda cheeses (prevents late blowing by Clostridium tyrobutyricum)
Dietary Compliance	100% Vegan (Sugar derived), Halal, Kosher, 4-MEI Free	Mineral synthesis, Halal, Kosher, Vegan compliance
Safety Approval	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.85)	EFSA Authorized / FDA 9 CFR 424.21
Chemical Class	Complex polymeric carbohydrate breakdown caramelans, caramelens, caramelins	—
Chemical Formula	—	NaNO3

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