Preservative
Also known as: Potassium nitrate, E252, E 252
Is Potassium nitrate safe? Is it banned or restricted? Below is the cited record — every claim linked to the regulator, study, or report that made it.
Ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Potassium nitrate is a nitrate curing salt subject to this classification.
IARC classifies ingested nitrate (under conditions causing endogenous nitrosation) as Group 2A — probably carcinogenic to humans; potassium nitrate is a nitrate curing agent used in cured/processed meats.
Food Court reports publicly available findings from regulatory bodies, peer-reviewed research, and journalism. We cite every claim. We are not your doctor — we are a search engine for what's known about your food. Follow the links to the original sources.