Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E224 - Potassium metabisulphite

Overview

E210 - Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid (E210) is a preservative used to help keep acidic foods and drinks safe and fresh by slowing the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria. It occurs naturally in small amounts in some berries and fermented foods, and is also made for food use under strict purity standards.

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E224 - Potassium metabisulphite

Potassium metabisulphite (E224) is a sulphite-based preservative and antioxidant used to keep foods and drinks fresh. It releases small amounts of sulphur dioxide that slow browning and help control unwanted microbes in products like wine, fruit products, and some soft drinks.

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Synonyms
E210
Benzoic acid
E224
Potassium metabisulphite
Potassium metabisulfite
Functions
preservative
antioxidantpreservative
Origins
Plant
Synthetic
Synthetic
Products

Found in 386 products

Found in 466 products

Search rank & volume
#7533.2K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#2342.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×12.42
over-aware

×0.79
under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. Is benzoic acid soluble in water?

    Only sparingly—about 3 g per liter at room temperature; its solubility increases in hot water and it dissolves readily in many organic solvents.

  2. Is benzoic acid polar?

    It has a polar carboxyl group but a nonpolar aromatic ring, so overall it’s only weakly polar; its benzoate salt is much more polar and water‑soluble.

  3. Is benzoic acid a strong acid?

    No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.

  4. What is the melting point of benzoic acid?

    About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).

  5. Is benzoic acid bad for you?

    At approved food levels it’s considered safe, with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight/day; some people may experience irritation or hypersensitivity, and benzene formation in certain acidic drinks is monitored and kept very low.

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  1. How much potassium metabisulfite per gallon of wine?

    About 0.3 g per US gallon (≈50 ppm as SO2), or 1 Campden tablet per gallon; adjust to wine pH and confirm with a free SO2 test.

  2. How much potassium metabisulfite per gallon of mead?

    Start with ~0.3 g per US gallon (≈50 ppm as SO2), or 1 Campden tablet per gallon; mead’s typically higher pH may require more to reach the target molecular SO2, and stabilization often also uses potassium sorbate.

  3. Is potassium metabisulfite harmful?

    At permitted food levels it’s generally considered safe, but sulfites can trigger asthma or allergic‑like reactions in sensitive individuals; the powder/solutions are irritating, so avoid inhalation and skin/eye contact.

  4. When to add potassium metabisulfite to wine?

    Add at crush to limit wild microbes and oxidation, then maintain appropriate free SO2 after fermentation during aging/racking and just before bottling based on pH.

  5. How much potassium metabisulfite per gallon?

    About 0.3 g per US gallon (≈50 ppm as SO2), or 1 Campden tablet per gallon; measure free SO2 and adjust for your beverage’s pH.

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