Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener)
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative)
E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener)
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.
E950 (Acesulfame K / Ace-K) is a calorie-free, heat-stable synthetic potassium salt sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose. INS 950, ADI is 9 mg/kg bw/day, famous for blending with sucralose and aspartame to produce sugar-identical taste curves.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative / Color Retention Agent (Curing Salt) | Non-Nutritive High-Intensity Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
0–0.07 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA / JECFA) | 9 mg / kg body weight per day |
|
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
|
— | E950 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 950 |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 200x Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.0 kcal / g (Excreted unchanged by kidneys) kcal/g |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | High-affinity agonist for T1R2 + T1R3 sweet taste receptor dimer |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Diet sodas (Coke Zero), sugar-free energy drinks, baked goods, sugar-free chewing gum |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Diabetic Safe, Dental Safe (Non-cariogenic) |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA Approved (21 CFR 172.800) |
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