Ingredient

Promotes Color Retention

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Source
Unknown
Not yet classified by editors
Allergen
No
Role in food
Sodium nitrite is primarily used as a preservative and color fixative in cured meats …

What it is

Sodium nitrite is a white to yellowish crystalline powder. It is a salt of nitrous acid, commonly produced industrially by reacting nitrogen oxides with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.

Why it's used

Sodium nitrite is primarily used as a preservative and color fixative in cured meats like bacon, ham, and hot dogs. It prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, particularly Clostridium botulinum, and gives cured meats their characteristic pink color and flavor.

Health notes

Sodium nitrite is approved by the FDA as a food additive. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated its use. Concerns have been raised about the potential formation of nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic, when nitrites react with amines at high temperatures. However, evidence regarding the health effects of nitrites at typical dietary intake levels is mixed, and they are considered safe when used within permitted limits.

Allergen info

Not a major allergen.

Products containing Promotes Color Retention

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Bush Brothers And Company BUSH's Pinto Beans with Pork 15.5 oz Vegetables Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 20% DV per serving 85kcal 4.6Protein 0.8Fat 14.6Carbs Bush Brothers And Company BUSH's Garbanzo Beans 4-16 oz cans Vegetables Prepared/Processed High in sodium — 20% DV per serving 92kcal 4.6Protein 1.5Fat 15.4Carbs Bush Brothers & Company Cannellini Beans White Kidney Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 77kcal 5.4Protein 0Fat 14.6Carbs McCall Farms Inc Freshlike, Selects Green Baby Lima Beans Canned & Bottled Beans 86kcal 5.5Protein 0Fat 15.6Carbs Renaissance Food Group, LLC Edamame Caviar Deli Salads 85kcal 2.8Protein 1.4Fat 13.4Carbs ThinkThin, LLC Protein & Probiotics Hot Oatmeal, Blueberry Harvest Cereal High in added sugars — 20% DV per serving 345kcal 18.2Protein 4.5Fat 65.5Carbs Pinto Beans, Pinto Safeway, Inc. Pinto Beans, Pinto Canned & Bottled Beans 92kcal 6.2Protein 0Fat 16.9Carbs Safeway, Inc. Dark Red Kidney Beans, Dark Red Kidney Canned & Bottled Beans 85kcal 5.4Protein 0Fat 16.1Carbs Blackeye Peas, Blackeye Safeway, Inc. Blackeye Peas, Blackeye Canned & Bottled Beans 77kcal 5.4Protein 0Fat 13.8Carbs Cannellini Beans, Cannellini Safeway, Inc. Cannellini Beans, Cannellini Canned & Bottled Beans 77kcal 5.4Protein 0Fat 14.6Carbs Light Red Kidney Beans, Light Red Kidney Safeway, Inc. Light Red Kidney Beans, Light Red Kidney Canned & Bottled Beans 85kcal 5.4Protein 0Fat 15.4Carbs Butter Beans, Butter Safeway, Inc. Butter Beans, Butter Canned & Bottled Beans 85kcal 5.4Protein 0Fat 16.1Carbs
Salt (92 products) Water (82 products) Calcium Chloride (50 products) Firming Agent (47 products) Calcium Disodium EDTA (37 products) Disodium EDTA (34 products) Prepared Pinto Beans (26 products) Sugar (14 products) Sodium Bisulfite (12 products) Prepared Chick Peas (11 products)

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.