| E250 is a food additive
approved by the European Union (EU) and used as an antibacterial synthetic
preservative
in food products, as well as a colour fixative. It is specifically effective
at inhibiting the bolulism-causing bacteria, Clostridium botulinum.
The common name for E250 is sodium nitrite.
E250 is the sodium salt of nitrous acid. It
can be oxidised in air to form sodium nitrate – a useful reducing
agent.
E250 (sodium nitrite) has been know
to cause hyperactivity and is restricted in many countries. Once in the
stomach, nitrates can form nitrosamines,
which are thought to be carcinogens.
Recent research has indicated that E250 may
cause dilation of blood vessels, hence it may therefore have positive
applications in the treatment of heart attacks, pulmonary
hypertension
and sickle cell anaemia. Examples of food/drink products that may include E250:
Meat (smoked, cured and processed), root vegetables and fish.
Note(1) that the list of Food
Additives (E Numbers) included in this section and listed on the left
is subject to change as more chemicals are added by the EU Regulatory
Authorities. IvyRose cannot guarantee that this list complete.
Note(2) These numbers are also used in Australia and
New Zealand but without the E.
Government approvals
and other regulatory details are subject to change.
This
was added on 21 July 2008. If details are important to you, check
with relevant authorities.
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