E224 — Potassium metabisulphite
E224 (Potassium metabisulphite), a preservative, is rated "avoid": worth avoiding. The potassium version of metabisulphite. Standard wine and brewing preservative. Same asthma-trigger concern for sulphite-sensitive people.
What is Potassium metabisulphite?
A sulphite preservative used widely in winemaking and brewing as a sanitiser and antioxidant. Also seen in some dried fruit and fruit syrups.
What does it do to the body?
Same family as sodium metabisulphite, with the same asthma-trigger concern for the small fraction of people sensitive to sulphites.
What regulators say
Covered under the EFSA 2022 group withdrawal of the temporary acceptable daily intake. EU labels must declare sulphites above 10 mg per kg.
Risk rating: Avoid
Known or suspected to cause harm: a substance EFSA or another regulator has flagged, or one restricted in some jurisdictions. Best kept out of a regular diet.
Source: EFSA — follow-up on sulfites (2022) ↗