Potassium Polyaspartate
A highly effective, safe processing aid that prevents wine diamonds (crystals) from forming.
- Category
- Stabilisers
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Potassium polyaspartate is a stabilizer primarily used in wine to prevent the crystallization of tartrates.
How it is used in food
Added to wine at a few tens of milligrams per litre it blocks the growth of potassium bitartrate crystals ('wine diamonds') in the bottle, replacing energy-hungry cold stabilisation and the older metatartaric acid treatments. It works at ambient temperature, is stable over long storage, and has no measurable effect on aroma, colour or mouthfeel.
Commonly found in- Wine
Health and safety
Evaluated as safe by EFSA; it passes through the digestive system mostly unabsorbed.
EFSA's evaluation found no safety concern at the proposed use levels in wine: the polymer is too large to be absorbed intact and passes through the gut essentially unchanged. Its authorisation is narrow — wine and a small number of related beverages — rather than general-purpose.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (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
- E456
Worth knowing
It is a biodegradable polymer of aspartic acid — the same amino acid found in proteins — and it works purely physically, coating the surface of microscopic tartrate crystals so they cannot grow large enough to precipitate. It is one of the most recent additions to the EU list, authorised for wine in 2017 after approval by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
Conclusion
A highly effective, safe processing aid that prevents wine diamonds (crystals) from forming.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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