e251 Sodium Nitrate

Food additive in the category of natural preservatives, produced by chemical processes from sodium nitrate or extracted from natural deposits, as it is also presented as a natural mineral. It is a white colored powder, used against discoloration of products. Nitrates, although harmless, in the presence of proteins, form nitrites, which then transform into nitrosamines, carcinogenic subtsances. Also, they react with hemoglobin, destroying it. The hemoglobin of children, compared to that of adults, is much more sensitive to nitrites, which is why children shouldn’t consume products with this additive. It is recommended that food labels be read carefully.