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
“E 251–252: Nitrates”
“E 251–252: Nitrates”
- Definition
- Annex II Part C: E 251–252: Nitrates
- Listed members
- Sodium nitrate, Potassium nitrate
- Source
“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)
- Definition
- Annex II Part C (GB): E 251–252: Nitrates
- Listed members
- Sodium nitrate, Potassium nitrate
- Source
“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.
Limit 250 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: Traditional immersion cured products (Meat products cured by immersion in a curing solution containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components) [08.3.4.1]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) · only rohschinken, nassgepökelt and similar products: Curing time depending on the shape and weight of meat pieces for approximately 2 days/kg followed by stabilisation/maturation
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.1; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only dry cured bacon and similar products: Dry curing followed by maturation for at least 4 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only dry cured ham and similar products: Dry curing followed by maturation for at least 4 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only jamon curado, paleta curada, lomo embuchado y cecina and similar products: Dry curing with a stabilisation period of at least 10 days and a maturation period of more than 45 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only presunto, presunto da pa and paio do lombo and similar products: Dry cured for 10 to 15 days followed by a 30 to 45-day stabilisation period and a maturation period of at least 2 months
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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)- LimitGBNitrates (E 251–252) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 250 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: Traditional immersion cured products (Meat products cured by immersion in a curing solution containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components) [08.3.4.1]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) · only rohschinken, nassgepökelt and similar products: Curing time depending on the shape and weight of meat pieces for approximately 2 days/kg followed by stabilisation/maturation
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.1; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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)
- LimitGBNitrates (E 251–252) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only dry cured bacon and similar products: Dry curing followed by maturation for at least 4 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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)
- LimitGBNitrates (E 251–252) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only dry cured ham and similar products: Dry curing followed by maturation for at least 4 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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)
- LimitGBNitrates (E 251–252) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only jamon curado, paleta curada, lomo embuchado y cecina and similar products: Dry curing with a stabilisation period of at least 10 days and a maturation period of more than 45 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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)
- LimitGBNitrates (E 251–252) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)
Limit 250 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: Traditional dry cured products. (Dry curing process involves dry application of curing mixture containing nitrites and/or nitrates, salt and other components to the surface of the meat followed by a period of stabilisation/maturation) [08.3.4.2]
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 251-252 · Nitrates · 250 · (39) (59) · only presunto, presunto da pa and paio do lombo and similar products: Dry cured for 10 to 15 days followed by a 30 to 45-day stabilisation period and a maturation period of at least 2 months
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.2; row: E 251-252 Nitrates · 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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