Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative)
E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)
Sodium nitrite (E250, NaNO2) is an inorganic salt used in cured charcuterie, bacon, and processed meats to inhibit Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin germination, fix cured pink nitrosyl-myoglobin color, and retard lipid autoxidation.
E306 is a natural mixture of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols steam-distilled from vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower). INS 306, ADI is Not Limited, serving as the gold standard lipid-soluble antioxidant in fats and oils.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative / Color Retention Agent (Curing Salt) | Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
0–0.07 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA / JECFA) | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
INS / E-Number
|
INS 250 / E250 | — |
|
Chemical Formula
|
NaNO₂ (Molecular Weight: 68.995 g/mol) | — |
|
USDA Maximum Residual Level
|
156 ppm in cured meat / 200 ppm in dry cured ham / 120 ppm in bacon with ascorbate | — |
|
Botulism Inhibition Threshold
|
Inhibits Clostridium botulinum spore outgrowth at ≥50–100 mg/kg in presence of NaCl | — |
|
E-Number Code
|
— | E306 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 306 |
|
Active Isomers
|
— | d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890) |
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