欧盟专家组认为，现有数据并未发现两类物质的遗传毒性，而且针对小鼠与大鼠的致癌性研究也呈现阴性。在现有数据基础上，不能改变针对两种物质的每日建议摄入量。
部分原文报道如下：
The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food （ANS） provided a scientific opinion re-evaluating the safety of sodium nitrate （E 251） and potassium nitrate （E 252） when used as food additives. The current acceptable daily intakes （ADIs） for nitrate of 3.7 mg/kg body weight （bw） per day were established by the SCF （1997） and JECFA （2002）。 The available data did not indicate genotoxic potential for sodium and potassium nitrate. The carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats were negative. The Panel considered the derivation of an ADI for nitrate based on the formation of methaemoglobin, following the conversion of nitrate, excreted in the saliva, to nitrite.
