Preservative · EU 224
Potassium Metabisulphite
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Potassium Metabisulphite is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #269 of 417.
- #269 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Potassium Metabisulphite is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #269 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (35th percentile).
- 2/5
- Caution
- Approved
- FDA status
- #269 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Potassium Metabisulphite: 6 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #269 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 6 · #269 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 224 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | 0.7 | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Potassium Metabisulphite?
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.
Health Concerns
- 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-, pot. EFSA overexposure risk: high. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (6 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Potassium Metabisulphite safe to consume?
Potassium Metabisulphite scores 2/5 (Caution). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (6 tracked products, #269 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Potassium Metabisulphite used for in food?
Potassium Metabisulphite shows up as Processed foods, baked goods, beverages in the Preservative class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (6 products).
Where does Potassium Metabisulphite sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #269 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Potassium Metabisulphite?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Potassium Metabisulphite: 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-, pot. EFSA overexposure risk: high. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.