Potassium Metabisulphite
Function: Preservative
E224 is the European food-additive number for Potassium Metabisulphite, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. POTASSIUM METABISULFITE, K2S2O5, also known as potassium pyrosulfite, is a white crystalline powder with a pungent sulfur odour.
What is E224 used for?
Potassium Metabisulphite (E224) 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 E224 safe or restricted?
E224 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 E224 vegan or vegetarian?
Potassium Metabisulphite (E224) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
E224 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 E224?
E224 appears in 3,627 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in mustard, sandwiches and pickled cucumbers / gherkins.
- Mustard628
- Sandwiches178
- Pickled Cucumbers / Gherkins133
- Lemon128
- Wine Vinegar113
- Pork (General)108
- Mayonnaise107
- Prepared Green Salads100
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E224 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 E224
- What is E224?
- E224 is the E-number for Potassium Metabisulphite, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. POTASSIUM METABISULFITE, K2S2O5, also known as potassium pyrosulfite, is a white crystalline powder with a pungent sulfur odour.
- What is E224 used for?
- Potassium Metabisulphite (E224) 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 E224?
- E224 appears in 3,627 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in mustard, sandwiches and pickled cucumbers / gherkins. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E224 vegan or vegetarian?
- Potassium Metabisulphite (E224) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. E224 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 E224 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E224 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 E224 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.