My diet:

Celery powder

No E-numberPreservativesOrigin: Plant
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Every diet

VeganYes

Made from celery, but it's almost always used in meat.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoYes
Low-FODMAPYes

Celery is high-FODMAP in larger servings, but the amount used in meat is small.

The short answer
Celery powder is how "uncured" bacon and hot dogs are cured. It's a natural source of nitrite, the same chemical as sodium nitrite, so "no nitrites added" meats aren't nitrite-free.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberNone
Comes fromPlant
What it doesPreservatives
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledCelery powder, Cultured celery powder

Truly nitrite-free alternatives

Clean-label swaps
Clean grocery swap

Fresh pork belly

Roast or pan-fry it for bacon flavor with no cure at all.

Shop pork belly Opens your country’s Amazon store
Clean substitute

Smoked paprika

Smoky, bacon-like flavor without curing salts.

Shop smoked paprika Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry swap

Air fryer

Cooking cured meat at lower temperatures forms fewer nitrosamines.

Shop air fryers Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionNot evaluated as an additive
🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Sold as a vegetable ingredient, not an additive, so it has no E-number or nitrite limit of its own. US meats cured with it must be labeled "uncured" and "no nitrates or nitrites added except those naturally occurring in celery powder." Consumer groups have petitioned the USDA to change that wording because it misleads shoppers.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Fermented celery powder delivers nitrite to cure meat: it keeps it pink, adds the cured flavor and stops botulism. The chemistry is the same as with sodium nitrite; only the label is different.

Where it comes from: Celery juice, naturally high in nitrate, is fermented with bacteria that turn the nitrate into nitrite, then dried into a powder.

Why it’s in food

  • Cures "uncured" and "natural" bacon, ham and hot dogs
  • Keeps meat pink
  • Protects against botulism
  • Lets brands avoid the words "sodium nitrite"

Often found in

"Uncured" bacon"Uncured" hot dogsNatural and organic deli meatOrganic hamSalami and pepperoniJerky

Also listed as: Celery powder, Cultured celery powder, Celery juice powder, Cultured celery juice powder, Celery extract, Cultured celery extract

Health & gut impact

NitritesConcern

Celery-cured meats can contain as much nitrite as conventionally cured ones, with the same risk of forming nitrosamines when fried.

Sebranek & Bacus, Meat Sci. (2007)

Celery allergyConcern

Celery is one of the 14 major allergens in the EU, and it can cause severe reactions.

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex II

What can I use instead?

Fresh, uncured meat

Ratio: Not a cure

Best for: Fresh sausage and pork belly cooked at home

Smoked paprika

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Smoky flavor without curing

Related

Celery powder vs Sodium Nitrite

More preservatives:

Calcium disodium EDTA (EDTA) E385Calcium disodium EDTA (E385) grabs stray metals so dressings, sodas and canned beans keep their color and flavor. Very little is absorbed, and it's safe in the small amounts allowed.Use in moderationCalcium Propionate E282Calcium propionate (E282) is the mold inhibitor in most packaged bread. It's considered safe, vegan and gluten-free, though a few small studies have raised questions about behavior in children and blood sugar.Use in moderationPotassium Sorbate E202Potassium sorbate (E202) is one of the mildest, most studied preservatives, used to stop mold in cheese, wine and baked goods. It's safe at normal amounts, vegan and gluten-free.Generally safeSodium Benzoate E211Sodium benzoate (E211) is a common preservative in soda and sauces. It's safe at normal amounts, but it can form small amounts of benzene when mixed with vitamin C.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Celery powder safe?

Use in moderation (50/100). Sold as a vegetable ingredient, not an additive, so it has no E-number or nitrite limit of its own. US meats cured with it must be labeled "uncured" and "no nitrates or nitrites added except those naturally occurring in celery powder." Consumer groups have petitioned the USDA to change that wording because it misleads shoppers.

Is Celery powder vegan?

Yes. Made from celery, but it's almost always used in meat.

Is Celery powder gluten-free?

Yes.

Is uncured bacon healthier?

Not really. "Uncured" bacon is cured with celery powder, which supplies nitrite. Nitrite levels can be similar to regular bacon.

Why does uncured bacon say "no nitrates added"?

US labeling rules count only synthetic nitrite as "added." The nitrite from celery is described as naturally occurring.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • Sebranek & Bacus, Meat Sci. (2007)
  • Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex II

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026