Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative)
E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)
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.
E500 (Sodium Carbonates / Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO3) is a mineral salt leavening agent and pH buffer. INS 500(ii), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), decomposing under heat and acid to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that expand cakes, cookies, and pretzel crusts.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Chemical Formula
|
NaNO₂ (Molecular Weight: 68.995 g/mol) | NaHCO3 (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate) |
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative / Color Retention Agent (Curing Salt) | Raising / Leavening Agent, Acidity Regulator, Anti-Caking |
|
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 | — |
|
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
|
— | E500 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 500(ii) (Bicarbonate) / 500(i) (Carbonate) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | Thermal (>50°C) or acid neutralization releases CO2 gas: NaHCO3 + H+ -> Na+ + H2O + CO2 |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Baking powders, cookies, cakes, pretzel alkaline dips, effervescent drink tablets |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan (Mineral Solvay process/Trona mining), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1736) |
Other Alternatives to Compare
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E100: Curcumin (Turmeric Yellow Color) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E140: Chlorophyll & Chlorophyllins (Green Color) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E160c: Paprika Extract (Capsanthin / Capsorubin) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) →
Compare E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →