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E224 - Potassium metabisulphite

Additive: E224 - Potassium metabisulphite

Functions: Antioxidant, Preservative

Potassium metabisulfite, K2S2O5, also known as potassium pyrosulfite, is a white crystalline powder with a pungent sulfur odour. The main use for the chemical is as an antioxidant or chemical sterilant. It is a disulfite and is chemically very similar to sodium metabisulfite, with which it is sometimes used interchangeably. Potassium metabisulfite is generally preferred out of the two as it does not contribute sodium to the diet. Potassium metabisulfite has a monoclinic crystal structure which decomposes at 190 °C, yielding potassium sulfite and sulfur dioxide: K2S2O5-s- → K2SO3-s- + SO2-g- - Wikipedia

Risk of overexposure

EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide -E 220-, sodium sulfite -E 221-, sodium bisulfite -E 222-, sodium metabisulfite -E 223-, potassium metabisulfite -E 224-, calcium sulfite -E 226-, calcium bisulfite -E 227- and potassium bisulfite -E 228- as food additives (2016-04-14)

High risk of over exposure
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined that some population groups have a high risk of consuming too much E224 - Potassium metabisulphite.

To evaluate your exposure to the E224 - Potassium metabisulphite food additive, you can browse our list of products that contain it. See the list of products with E224 - Potassium metabisulphite below.

  InfantsToddlersChildrenAdolescentsAdultsElderly
  < 11 to 23 to 910 to 1718 to 6465+
Most people
(over 50%)		Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 50% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)
Some people
(over 5%)		Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)Groups with more than 5% of members exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)

Risk of exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI) : Risk of exceeding the acceptable daily intake (ADI)

Names: Disulfite de potassium, Métabisulfite de potassium, Pyrosulfite de potassium