Comparing E224 - Potassium metabisulphite vs E223 - Sodium metabisulphite
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 466 products
Found in 2,840 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is sodium metabisulfite bad for you?
For most people it isn’t “bad” at the low levels used in foods, but sulfite‑sensitive individuals (including some asthmatics) can have reactions such as wheezing, hives, or headaches. Regulators set a group ADI for sulfites of 0–0.7 mg SO2 equivalents per kg body weight per day.
Is sodium metabisulfite safe?
Yes—E223 is an approved preservative/antioxidant when used within regulated limits, though sulfites must be declared on labels and can trigger adverse reactions in sensitive people and some asthmatics.
Is sodium metabisulfite gluten free?
Yes. It’s a synthetic inorganic salt and contains no gluten; any gluten risk would come from other ingredients or cross-contact, not the additive itself.
What is sodium metabisulfite used for?
It’s used as an antioxidant and preservative to prevent browning and microbial spoilage in foods and drinks (e.g., wine, cider, dried fruits, seafood, potato products), and as a sanitizing agent for winemaking/brewing equipment.
How much sodium metabisulfite per gallon of wine?
To add about 50 mg/L (ppm) SO2 to 1 US gallon, use roughly 0.28 g sodium metabisulfite (about half a sodium Campden tablet); winemakers typically target 25–50 ppm free SO2 depending on pH and often use potassium metabisulfite instead.