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Substance group

What counts as Nitrates (E 251–252)?

2 markets define Nitrates (E 251–252), 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

Market
Definition
Listed members
Source
Annex II Part C: E 251–252: Nitrates
Sodium nitrate, Potassium nitrate
“E 251–252: Nitrates”
Annex II, line 1638 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-09European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Annex II, line 1638(opens in a new tab)
Annex II Part C (GB): E 251–252: Nitrates
Sodium nitrate, Potassium nitrate
“E 251–252: Nitrates”
Annex II, line 712 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 712(opens in a new tab)

Rules

Rules that use these definitions

76 rules.

Requirement
Applies when
Effective
Source
LimitEU
Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

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: Whey cheese [01.7.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M110 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 150 · (30) · only cheese milk of hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheese Period of application: until 9 October 2026

Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.4; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

Limit 75 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: Whey cheese [01.7.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 9 Oct 2026

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2026

The row states a period of application beginning 2026-10-09.

From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 75 · (30) (XA) (XB) · only cheese milk of hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheese Period of application: from 9 October 2026

Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.4; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

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: Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) [01.7.6]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M110 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 150 · (30) · only hard, semi-hard and semi-soft ripened products Period of application: until 9 October 2026

Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.6; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

Limit 75 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: Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) [01.7.6]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 9 Oct 2026

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2026

The row states a period of application beginning 2026-10-09.

From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 75 · (30) (XA) (XB) · only hard, semi-hard and semi-soft ripened products Period of application: from 9 October 2026

Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.6; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

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: Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners [01.8]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M110 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 150 · (30) · only dairy-based cheese analogue Period of application: until 9 October 2025

Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.8; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

    Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    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: Whey cheese [01.7.4]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M110 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 150 · (30) · only cheese milk of hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheese Period of application: until 9 October 2026

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.4; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

    Limit 75 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: Whey cheese [01.7.4]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective

    In force since 9 Oct 2026

    Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2026

    The row states a period of application beginning 2026-10-09.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 75 · (30) (XA) (XB) · only cheese milk of hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheese Period of application: from 9 October 2026

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.4; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

    Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    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: Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) [01.7.6]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M110 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 150 · (30) · only hard, semi-hard and semi-soft ripened products Period of application: until 9 October 2026

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.6; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

    Limit 75 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: Cheese products (excluding products falling in category 16) [01.7.6]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective

    In force since 9 Oct 2026

    Applies to products placed on the market on or after 9 Oct 2026

    The row states a period of application beginning 2026-10-09.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 75 · (30) (XA) (XB) · only hard, semi-hard and semi-soft ripened products Period of application: from 9 October 2026

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.7.6; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Nitrates (E 251–252) as defined in European Union

    Limit 150 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    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: Dairy analogues, including beverage whiteners [01.8]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M110 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: E 251–252 · Nitrates · 150 · (30) · only dairy-based cheese analogue Period of application: until 9 October 2025

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 01.8; row: E 251–252 Nitrates · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)

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