SDS Structure (16-Section Format Required Internationally)
A compliant SDS for Sodium Nitrate must include:
Identification (Product name, supplier details, emergency number)
Hazard Identification
Composition / Information on Ingredients
First-Aid Measures
Fire-Fighting Measures
Accidental Release Measures
Handling & Storage
Exposure Controls / PPE
Physical & Chemical Properties
Stability & Reactivity
Toxicological Information
Ecological Information
Disposal Considerations
Transport Information
Regulatory Information
Other Information
Key Safety Requirements (from SDS)
Handling & Storage
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
Keep away from organic materials, reducing agents, combustibles, and heat.
Avoid moisture; hygroscopic contamination lowers purity.
Use non-sparking tools.
Transportation Regulations
Sodium Nitrate is regulated as a hazardous material:
UN Number: UN 1498
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Nitrate
Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: III
Applies to:
ADR (Europe)
IMDG (International Maritime)
IATA (Air transport)
Regulatory Compliance (Global)
India (BIS / FSSAI / GHS adoption)
Follows GHS Revision 8 style SDS.
If used as fertilizer → FCO (Fertilizer Control Order).
If used in food (INS 251) → FSSAI limits apply (restricted use; mostly curing/processed meats).
United States
SDS must follow OSHA HazCom 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Listed in EPA TSCA Inventory.
European Union
REACH compliant SDS mandatory (EU 2020/878).
Classified under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Food-Grade Sodium Nitrate SDS Notes
Food additive code: INS 251 / E251
Extra purity requirements:
Low heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd).
Microbial limits.
Non-GMO source for some markets.
Allergens typically “None”.
Food-grade SDS must still follow the same 16-section GHS format, but with:
Typical specification ranges used for food-grade sodium nitrate (example, industry practice)
These are recommended example limits commonly requested by food manufacturers and suppliers. Verify legally binding limits for your jurisdiction.
Lead (Pb): 0.1 – 2.0 mg/kg (many food-grade specs target ≤0.5 mg/kg or ≤1 mg/kg; stricter customers may require ≤0.1–0.2 mg/kg)
Arsenic (As): 0.05 – 1.0 mg/kg (common commercial specs ~≤0.1–0.3 mg/kg)
Cadmium (Cd): 0.01 – 1.0 mg/kg (many aim for ≤0.05–0.1 mg/kg)
Mercury (Hg): 0.01 – 0.1 mg/kg (often ≤0.01–0.02 mg/kg for stricter specs)
Total heavy metals (as Pb): 1 – 10 mg/kg (used by some pharmacopeial or commercial specs as a catch-all; lower is safer)
Food safety sections added (e.g., acceptable daily intake, regulatory limits).
Practical procurement / compliance tips
If your product is sold as a food additive (INS 251 / E251 / E251), check FSSAI (India) or EU/Codex rules for additive purity and maximum contaminant limits. Some jurisdictions require declarative limits or reference to pharmacopoeial monographs.
For export, match the strictest customer/regulatory requirement (e.g., EU importers commonly expect tighter limits than some domestic markets).
Ask suppliers for food-grade certificate, CoA, and ISO 17025 lab reports for heavy metals.
Want me to do next?
I can:
Create a food-grade sodium nitrate specification sheet (table) with recommended, strict, and minimum acceptance limits (editable Word/PDF) for procurement or QC.
Draft a sampling & testing SOP and a CoA template including fields for method, LOD/LOQ, and lab accreditation.
Help you identify the exact legal limits for a specific market (FSSAI / EU / Codex / FDA) — I’ll need to browse for that; tell me which regulator/country you want and I’ll look up the current limits (I can do that if you want me to fetch official numbers).
Which would you like me to prepare right now?
Reference to JECFA, Codex Alimentarius, FSSAI, FDA CFR 21.
SODIUM NITRATE — SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS) REQUIREMENTS & REGULATIONS
1. SDS Classification (GHS / UN System)
Under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), Sodium Nitrate is classified as:
Hazard Classification
Oxidizing solid — Category 3
Acute toxicity (oral) — Category 5 (low) depending on purity
Eye irritation — Category 2A
May cause fire or intensify fire due to oxidizing properties
GHS Label Elements
Pictograms:
(Flame over circle – Oxidizer)
(Exclamation mark – Irritant)
Signal word: Warning
Hazard statements:
H272: May intensify fire; oxidizer.
H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements:
Keep away from heat, combustible materials.
Wear protective gloves, goggles.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Heavy metals to test (minimum)
Lead (Pb)
Arsenic (As)
Cadmium (Cd)
Mercury (Hg)
(optional) Total heavy metals expressed as Pb (sometimes used as a quick acceptance criterion)
(optional) Other metals of concern for your supply chain: chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn)
INDIA — FSSAI (Food Safety & Standards Authority of India)
Regulation: Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards & Food Additives) Regulations, 2011
✔ Additive Category: Preservative
✔ INS Number: 251
✔ Permitted Foods:
Cured meats and processed meat products (strictly limited)
Not allowed in general foods unless listed in the additive tables.
✔ Maximum Usage Level:
Typically up to 500 mg/kg in cured meats (combined nitrate + nitrite), BUT varies based on food category.
✔ Purity Criteria (Food grade):
FSSAI refers to Codex & JECFA for purity:
Low heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg)
Free from harmful impurities
Should comply with the latest JECFA Specification for Sodium Nitrate
✔ Labelling Requirements:
Must declare INS 251 or “Sodium Nitrate (Preservative)”
For meats, must comply with additional cured-meat labeling requirements
) Analytical methods (recommended)
ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) — preferred for low detection limits and multi-element analysis.
ICP-OES / ICP-AES — commonly used when detection limits are adequate.
AAS (graphite furnace or cold-vapour for Hg) — alternative for specific elements.
Follow validated methods such as ISO, AOAC, or local pharmacopeial methods. Indicate LOD/LOQ for each element in your spec.
Sampling & reporting recommendations
Specify sampling plan (e.g., ISO 24276 / GOST / company SOP) with sample size and frequency.
Require certificate of analysis (CoA) from each lot with raw data and method described.
Report results as mg/kg (ppm) on an “as-is” basis; include method, date, and lab accreditation (e.g., ISO 17025).
Include uncertainty of measurement where available.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE FOR FOOD ADDITIVE E251 (SODIUM NITRATE)
INS 251 / E251 / Sodium Nitrate
E251 is classified internationally as a preservative and color-fixing agent, mainly for cured meats. Use is highly restricted, not allowed in many food categories, and subject to maximum residual limits.
EU REGULATIONS — European Union
Main Regulation:
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 — Food Additives
Regulation (EU) 231/2012 — Purity Criteria
✔ E251 Allowed Food Categories:
Cured meats
Processed meat products
Some traditional meat preparations
✔ Maximum Levels:
500 mg/kg sodium nitrate for curing brines
150 mg/kg max residual nitrate in final meat products
(Exact limits vary per meat class – some traditional products have exceptions)
✔ Labeling:
Must be declared as “E251 Sodium Nitrate”
Strict EU nitrate–nitrite exposure regulations apply.
GLOBAL SAFETY RULES (Applicable Everywhere)
✔ Prohibited Uses:
E251 cannot be used in:
Baby foods
Fresh meats
Dairy
Bakery products
Fruits & vegetables (unless allowed by specific tradition)
Purity & Quality Compliance (Food-Grade E251)
Most regulators (FSSAI, Codex, EU, FDA) reference similar purity criteria:
Typical Purity Requirements
Assay: ≥99% Sodium Nitrate
Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤1–10 mg/kg
Lead: ≤2 mg/kg (most suppliers deliver ≤0.5 mg/kg)
Arsenic: ≤1 mg/kg (often ≤0.5 mg/kg)
Cadmium: ≤1 mg/kg
Mercury: ≤0.1 mg/kg
Insoluble matter: Low
pH, chlorides, sulfates: within limits
Analytical methods usually: ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS, per ISO/AOAC.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
✔ Food-Grade Declaration
✔ Purity Compliance with FCC / JECFA / EU 231/2012
✔ Heavy Metal Test Report
✔ Allergen-Free Declaration
✔ GMO-Free Declaration
✔ Residue Limits Assurance (where required)
✔ Labeling: INS 251 / E251
For export: Provide the strictest limits required by the buye
