What is "sodium nitrite"

n. (context chemistry English) The sodium salt of nitrous acid, NaNO₂; used as a food preservative and in many industrial applications.

n. nitrite used to preserve and color food especially in meat and fish products; implicated in the formation of suspected carcinogens

Sodium nitrite is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na NO. It is a white to slightly yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic. It is a useful precursor to a variety of organic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, and pesticides, but it is probably best known as a food additive to prevent botulism.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.