Potassium sulphite
A sulphite preservative not authorised in the EU; declarable allergen.
- Category
- Preservatives
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Potassium sulphite is a sulphite preservative — the same family used in wine and dried fruit, but not one of the members the EU authorises.
How it is used in food
Stops enzymatic browning and kills spoilage yeasts, which is why sulphites persist in wine, dried fruit and processed potato.
Commonly found in- Wine and fruit juice (outside the EU)
- Dried fruit
- Processed potato products
Health and safety
The family risk is the one to know: sulphites trigger asthma attacks in sensitive people, which is why any food containing more than 10 mg/kg must declare them by name. That applies whichever sulphite is used. This particular member is not on the EU authorised list — E220 to E224 and E226 to E228 are.
Not on the EU list of authorised food additives. EFSA re-evaluated the authorised sulphites in 2016 and concluded the existing acceptable intake needed revisiting.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E225
Also printed asCalcium disulphite · Potassium sulfite
Worth knowing
Sulphites are one of the fourteen allergens EU law requires to be spelled out on a label no matter how little is used — they are the reason a wine bottle says "contains sulphites".
Conclusion
A banned sulphite preservative.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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