Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)
E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)
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.
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
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E251 | E500 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 251 | INS 500(ii) (Bicarbonate) / 500(i) (Carbonate) |
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative, Curing Agent, Antimicrobial | Raising / Leavening Agent, Acidity Regulator, Anti-Caking |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
3.7 mg / kg body weight per day (as nitrate ion) | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
NaNO3 | NaHCO3 (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Micrococcus and Staphylococcus bacterial nitrate reductase slowly converts nitrate (NO3-) into bioactive nitrite (NO2-) | Thermal (>50°C) or acid neutralization releases CO2 gas: NaHCO3 + H+ -> Na+ + H2O + CO2 |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Prosciutto di Parma, dry-cured salamis, Gouda cheeses (prevents late blowing by Clostridium tyrobutyricum) | Baking powders, cookies, cakes, pretzel alkaline dips, effervescent drink tablets |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Mineral synthesis, Halal, Kosher, Vegan compliance | 100% Vegan (Mineral Solvay process/Trona mining), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA 9 CFR 424.21 | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1736) |
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