Sodium nitrite

Sodium nitrite (CAS 7632-00-0), also recognized in food labeling as E250, is an inorganic salt used industrially as a curing agent, preservative, and color fixative. It controls microbial growth and stabilizes the characteristic pink color in processed meat products, while also serving preservation functions in pharmaceutical and industrial contexts.

In meat processing, sodium nitrite is the active curing agent in products such as bacon, ham, hot dogs, and deli meats, inhibiting Clostridium botulinum growth while fixing myoglobin. This process delivers the cured color consumers expect. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as an intermediate and active ingredient in certain antidote formulations for medical applications.

In food production more broadly, it functions as an antioxidant to retard rancidity and extend shelf life in cured and preserved products. This ensures product stability over time. Industrial applications include its use as a corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids and heat transfer systems, though food and pharma remain the primary commercial demand drivers.

Sodium nitrite is supplied as a white to pale yellow crystalline powder or granules. Standard grades include food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade meeting USP and BP standards. Technical-grade material is available for industrial end uses, with purity levels typically ranging from 97% to 99%+ depending on the specific requirements of the application.