Sodium Metabisulphite
Function: Preservative
E223 is the European food-additive number for Sodium Metabisulphite, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. SODIUM METABISULFITE or sodium pyrosulfite -IUPAC spelling; Br.
What is E223 used for?
Sodium Metabisulphite (E223) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all preservatives (E-numbers).
Is E223 safe or restricted?
E223 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as “Restricted use” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E223 vegan or vegetarian?
Sodium Metabisulphite (E223) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
E223 belongs to the sulphite group (E220–E228). Sulphites are one of the 14 EU-declarable allergens: above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L the label must state “contains sulphites”, whatever the additive's technological purpose.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E223?
E223 appears in 7,726 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in shrimp / prawns, crackers and sausages.
- Shrimp / Prawns618
- Crackers440
- Sausages285
- Beef (General)167
- Pickled Cucumbers / Gherkins163
- Potato161
- Dried Chickpeas144
- Cream-Filled Cookies107
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E223 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E223
- What is E223?
- E223 is the E-number for Sodium Metabisulphite, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. SODIUM METABISULFITE or sodium pyrosulfite -IUPAC spelling; Br.
- What is E223 used for?
- Sodium Metabisulphite (E223) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E223?
- E223 appears in 7,726 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in shrimp / prawns, crackers and sausages. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E223 vegan or vegetarian?
- Sodium Metabisulphite (E223) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. E223 belongs to the sulphite group (E220–E228). Sulphites are one of the 14 EU-declarable allergens: above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L the label must state “contains sulphites”, whatever the additive's technological purpose. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E223 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E223 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as "Restricted use" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E223 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.