Compare E224 vs E226, Potassium metabisulphite vs Calcium...

Overview

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.

E226 - Calcium sulphite

Calcium sulphite (E226) is a preservative from the sulfite family. It helps stop browning and slows the growth of microbes by releasing small amounts of sulfur dioxide. Some people, especially a few with asthma, can be sensitive to sulfites, so labels matter for them.

Synonyms

E224

Potassium metabisulphite

Potassium metabisulfite

E226

Calcium sulphite

Calcium sulfite

Functions

antioxidant preservative

Origins

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 466 products

Found in 8 products

Search rank & volume

#2342.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#341350 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.79

under-aware

×4.32

over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 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.

Comparing E224 - Potassium metabisulphite vs E226 - Calcium sulphite