Potassium Nitrate
Function: Preservative
E252 is the European food-additive number for Potassium Nitrate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. POTASSIUM NITRATE is a chemical compound with the chemical formula KNO3.
What is E252 used for?
Potassium Nitrate (E252) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E252 safe or restricted?
E252 is banned or severely restricted in one or more jurisdictions. Forkin classifies it as “Banned / Severely restricted” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E252
- What is E252?
- E252 is the E-number for Potassium Nitrate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. POTASSIUM NITRATE is a chemical compound with the chemical formula KNO3.
- What is E252 used for?
- Potassium Nitrate (E252) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E252 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E252 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E252 is banned or severely restricted in one or more jurisdictions. Forkin classifies it as "Banned / Severely restricted" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E252 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.