Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel)
E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)
E150d (Class IV Caramel) is prepared by heating carbohydrates with both sulfite and ammonium compounds, creating an intensely dark, negatively charged colloid. INS 150d, group ADI is 300 mg/kg bw/day, the global color standard in cola soft drinks.
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.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E150d | E251 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 150d | INS 251 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Deep Brown / Black) | Preservative, Curing Agent, Antimicrobial |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
300 mg / kg body weight per day (Group ADI for caramel colors) | 3.7 mg / kg body weight per day (as nitrate ion) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
High tinctorial power melanoidin polymers soluble and stable in carbonated phosphoric acid matrix | Micrococcus and Staphylococcus bacterial nitrate reductase slowly converts nitrate (NO3-) into bioactive nitrite (NO2-) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Cola soft drinks, dark beers/stouts, gravies, pet foods, soy sauce | Prosciutto di Parma, dry-cured salamis, Gouda cheeses (prevents late blowing by Clostridium tyrobutyricum) |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Sugar/syrup base), Halal, Kosher | Mineral synthesis, Halal, Kosher, Vegan compliance |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (Strictly controlled 4-MEI limits) | EFSA Authorized / FDA 9 CFR 424.21 |
|
Isoelectric Point & Charge
|
Strong negative colloidal charge (pH 0.5–2.0) preventing precipitation in acid sodas | — |
|
Chemical Formula
|
— | NaNO3 |
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