Substance group
What counts as Nitrites (E 249–250)?
2 markets define Nitrites (E 249–250), and they don't all agree. Read each definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.
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Group
Definitions
“E 249–250: Nitrites”
“E 249–250: Nitrites”
- Definition
- Annex II Part C: E 249–250: Nitrites
- Listed members
- Potassium nitrite, Sodium nitrite
- Source
“E 249–250: Nitrites”
Annex II, line 1633 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-09European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Annex II, line 1633(opens in a new tab)
- Definition
- Annex II Part C (GB): E 249–250: Nitrites
- Listed members
- Potassium nitrite, Sodium nitrite
- Source
“E 249–250: Nitrites”
Annex II, line 707 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 707(opens in a new tab)
Rules
Rules that use these definitions
56 rules.
Limit 100 mg/kg (content basis)
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- EU food category: Other traditional and traditionally cured products (including immersion and dry cured processes used in combination or where nitrite and/or nitrate is included in a compound product or where the curing solution is injected into the product prior to cooking) [08.3.4.3]
Depends on: eu food category code
In force since 9 Oct 2025
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2025
The row states a period of application beginning 2025-10-09.
From the consolidated text: E 249–250 · Nitrites · 100 · (XC) (XJ) · only Svensk julskinka and Svensk leverpastej and similar products: Cured/uncooked or cooked in its consumer package Period of application: from 9 October 2025
Annex II rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; row: E 249–250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-09
European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)Limit 100 mg/kg (content basis)
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- EU food category: Other traditional and traditionally cured products (including immersion and dry cured processes used in combination or where nitrite and/or nitrate is included in a compound product or where the curing solution is injected into the product prior to cooking) [08.3.4.3]
Depends on: eu food category code
In force since 9 Oct 2025
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2025
The row states a period of application beginning 2025-10-09.
From the consolidated text: E 249–250 · Nitrites · 100 · (XC) (XJ) · only Mettwurst, Teewurst and similar products: Spreadable, soft, short-ripened raw sausages Period of application: from 9 October 2025
Annex II rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; row: E 249–250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-09
European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)
Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).
- EU food category: Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 [08.2]
Depends on: eu food category code
In force since 20 Jan 2010
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010
Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.
From the official list: E 249-250 · Nitrites · 150 · (7) · only lomo de cerdo adobado, pincho moruno, careta de cerdo adobada, costilla de cerdo adobada, Kasseler, Bräte, Surfleisch, toorvorst, šašlõkk, ahjupraad, kiełbasa surowa biała, kiełbasa surowa metka, tatar wołowy (danie tatarskie) and golonka peklowana
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.2; row: E 249-250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-10
The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)
Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).
- EU food category: Non-heat-treated meat products [08.3.1]
Depends on: eu food category code
In force since 20 Jan 2010
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010
Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.
From the official list: E 249-250 · Nitrites · 150 · (7)
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.1; row: E 249-250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-10
The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)
Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).
- EU food category: Heat-treated meat products [08.3.2]
Depends on: eu food category code
In force since 20 Jan 2010
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010
Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.
From the official list: E 249-250 · Nitrites · 150 · (7) (59) · Except sterilised meat products (Fo > 3,00)
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.2; row: E 249-250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-10
The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)- LimitEUNitrites (E 249–250) as defined in European Union
Limit 100 mg/kg (content basis)
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Applies when
- EU food category: Other traditional and traditionally cured products (including immersion and dry cured processes used in combination or where nitrite and/or nitrate is included in a compound product or where the curing solution is injected into the product prior to cooking) [08.3.4.3]
Depends on: eu food category code
- Effective
In force since 9 Oct 2025
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2025
The row states a period of application beginning 2025-10-09.
- Source
From the consolidated text: E 249–250 · Nitrites · 100 · (XC) (XJ) · only Svensk julskinka and Svensk leverpastej and similar products: Cured/uncooked or cooked in its consumer package Period of application: from 9 October 2025
Annex II rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; row: E 249–250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-09
European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
- LimitEUNitrites (E 249–250) as defined in European Union
Limit 100 mg/kg (content basis)
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Applies when
- EU food category: Other traditional and traditionally cured products (including immersion and dry cured processes used in combination or where nitrite and/or nitrate is included in a compound product or where the curing solution is injected into the product prior to cooking) [08.3.4.3]
Depends on: eu food category code
- Effective
In force since 9 Oct 2025
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2025
The row states a period of application beginning 2025-10-09.
- Source
From the consolidated text: E 249–250 · Nitrites · 100 · (XC) (XJ) · only Mettwurst, Teewurst and similar products: Spreadable, soft, short-ripened raw sausages Period of application: from 9 October 2025
Annex II rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; row: E 249–250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-09
European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
- LimitGBNitrites (E 249–250) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)
Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).
- Applies when
- EU food category: Meat preparations as defined by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 [08.2]
Depends on: eu food category code
- Effective
In force since 20 Jan 2010
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010
Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.
- Source
From the official list: E 249-250 · Nitrites · 150 · (7) · only lomo de cerdo adobado, pincho moruno, careta de cerdo adobada, costilla de cerdo adobada, Kasseler, Bräte, Surfleisch, toorvorst, šašlõkk, ahjupraad, kiełbasa surowa biała, kiełbasa surowa metka, tatar wołowy (danie tatarskie) and golonka peklowana
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.2; row: E 249-250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-10
The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
- LimitGBNitrites (E 249–250) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)
Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).
- Applies when
- EU food category: Non-heat-treated meat products [08.3.1]
Depends on: eu food category code
- Effective
In force since 20 Jan 2010
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010
Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.
- Source
From the official list: E 249-250 · Nitrites · 150 · (7)
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.1; row: E 249-250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-10
The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
- LimitGBNitrites (E 249–250) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)
Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).
- Applies when
- EU food category: Heat-treated meat products [08.3.2]
Depends on: eu food category code
- Effective
In force since 20 Jan 2010
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010
Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.
- Source
From the official list: E 249-250 · Nitrites · 150 · (7) (59) · Except sterilised meat products (Fo > 3,00)
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.2; row: E 249-250 Nitrites · fetched 2026-10-10
The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
See also
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