E228 — Potassium bisulphite
E228 (Potassium bisulphite), a preservative, is rated "avoid": worth avoiding. A sulphite preservative used in winemaking and some processed foods. Same asthma-trigger concern as the rest of the sulphite family.
What is Potassium bisulphite?
Potassium hydrogen sulphite, used as a preservative and antioxidant in winemaking, brewing, and some processed fruit products.
What does it do to the body?
Behaves like sodium bisulphite in the body. Asthma-trigger concern only for the small fraction (~1%) of people who are sulphite-sensitive.
What regulators say
Covered under the EFSA 2022 follow-up that withdrew the temporary group acceptable daily intake for sulphites pending new toxicology data. EU mandatory labelling 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) ↗