Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing)
E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
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.
E968 (Erythritol) is a four-carbon polyol produced by microbial fermentation of glucose by Moniliella pollinis. INS 968, ADI is Not Specified, delivering 70% the sweetness of sucrose with 0.0–0.2 kcal/g, zero GI, and 90% urinary excretion avoiding digestive distress.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E251 | E968 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 251 | INS 968 |
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative, Curing Agent, Antimicrobial | Non-Nutritive Bulk Sweetener, Flavor Enhancer, Humectant |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
3.7 mg / kg body weight per day (as nitrate ion) | Not Specified (Highest digestive tolerance among all polyols: 0.66–0.80 g/kg bw) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Prosciutto di Parma, dry-cured salamis, Gouda cheeses (prevents late blowing by Clostridium tyrobutyricum) | Keto baked goods, monk fruit/stevia blends (Swerve), zero-sugar confectionery |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Mineral synthesis, Halal, Kosher, Vegan compliance | 100% Vegan (Yeast fermentation of corn glucose), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA 9 CFR 424.21 | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (GRN 76) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
NaNO3 | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Micrococcus and Staphylococcus bacterial nitrate reductase slowly converts nitrate (NO3-) into bioactive nitrite (NO2-) | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 70% Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.2 kcal / g (Legal EU/US: 0.0 kcal / g) kcal/g |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 0 (Zero effect on blood glucose or insulin levels) |
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