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: 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 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 · (40) (7) (59) · only Salchichon y chorizo traducionales de larga curacion and similar products: Maturation period of at least 30 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; 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: 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 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 · (40) (7) (59) · only saucissons sec and similar products: raw fermented dried sausage without added nitrites. Product is fermented at temperatures in the range of 18 to 22 °C or lower (10 to 12 °C) and then has a minimum ageing/ripening period of 3 weeks. Product has a water/protein ratio of less than 1,7
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; 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 500 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: Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans [09.2]
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 · 500 · only pickled herring and sprat
Annex rows, Part E, category 09.2; 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: 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 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 · (40) (7) (59) · only Salchichon y chorizo traducionales de larga curacion and similar products: Maturation period of at least 30 days
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; 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: 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 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 · (40) (7) (59) · only saucissons sec and similar products: raw fermented dried sausage without added nitrites. Product is fermented at temperatures in the range of 18 to 22 °C or lower (10 to 12 °C) and then has a minimum ageing/ripening period of 3 weeks. Product has a water/protein ratio of less than 1,7
Annex rows, Part E, category 08.3.4.3; 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 500 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: Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans [09.2]
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 · 500 · only pickled herring and sprat
Annex rows, Part E, category 09.2; 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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