Potassium sulfite is a food additive that is used as a preservative under E – number E225. Since the food industry is highly profitable, the quality of the products is not as important to manufacturers. Instead of useful natural food additives, they use cheap synthetic ingredients, thereby killing useful nutrients in order to facilitate packaging, transportation, increase the shelf life of products, and most importantly, increase their profits. For this purpose, artificial preservatives were invented. Usually fresh or natural processed foods have a limited shelf life and will no longer be suitable for consumption after a certain period of time. But thanks to preservatives that work by inhibiting and stopping the growth of mold, products last longer and remain edible for a longer period, even after opening the package.
General characteristics
Potassium sulfite has the formula – K2SO3. It is a chemical compound that is obtained by adding potassium hydroxide to sulfuric acid and then forming a salt. It looks exactly like this: K2CO3 + SO2 = K2SO3 + CO2. K2SO3 – this is the finished preservative E225. The molar mass is 158,26 g/mol. This food supplement is in the form of a white dry powder. It is highly soluble in water, but insoluble in toluene and chloroform. When heated to 590 C, it begins to decompose.
If E225 is placed in an acidic environment, then it will be oxidized by potassium permanganate and sulfuric acid will be formed, which actually has a preservative effect. Sulfuric acid is used as a preservative and as a raw material for the production of sulfite caramel (E150d). Since the preservative oxidizes slowly in the open air, potassium sulfite should be stored in sealed containers or in an atmosphere of sulfur dioxide at a temperature of 0 to 30 C. It can also be said that the additive is endowed with good reducing qualities. If in contact with cold water or in moist air (contact with steam), then K2SO3 forms a two-molecular crystalline hydrate.
The use of potassium sulfite
Acceptable daily intake of E225: up to 0,7 mg / kg of human body weight. It is still approved for use in food products in Australia and New Zealand, but is banned in the European Union, the United States of America, Ukraine, as it is a hazardous substance to human health. According to the legislation, in the Russian Federation this additive is allowed for use, but only in a certain correct dosage. For sugar – 10mg/kg of the product, 2g/kg for dried fruits.
This food supplement is used in:
- beer and non-alcoholic, various fruit drinks;
- dried fruits;
- juices and wine;
- sausages and cheeses;
- marmalade and jams;
- potato products;
- gelatin.
Preservative E225 inhibits the growth of harmful bacterial or fungal organisms in these food products, slowing down or completely preventing their growth, prolongs shelf life and is widely used today in agriculture and beyond. It contains 45% sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is commonly used to preserve a wide range of food products, such as replacing discoloration in meat, fruits and vegetables caused by oxidation, and preventing residual microorganisms from fermenting sugar in wine. In Hong Kong, sulfur dioxide is generally not allowed to be used in fresh or chilled meat, as the sulfur dioxide stops the oxidative process and helps maintain the fresh meat’s desired color. In addition, E225 also acts as an antioxidant in dried fruit and wine to keep the product from turning brownish. In wine, he does not allow it to turn into vinegar. Potassium sulfite is also used to make E150d, a well-known caramel color used in many beverages. In addition to the food industry, E225 is used in the photographic field and for water procedures. There are no restrictions on the use among different population groups. This substance can be used by all religions and vegetarians.
Influence on the body
Many people do not realize that some of the elements that are part of food can be harmful to humans. Sulfites, for example, are found everywhere and thus expose people to dangers that they are not even aware of. Most countries do not require trace amounts of compounds to be labeled, and they can almost always be found in food. People who are very sensitive to chemicals and may react to them even if some elements are not listed on the label.
If you follow the correct dosage, then in most cases, potassium sulfite or E225 is a safe substance. But when it enters the human body in excess, this preservative and antioxidant is harmful and adversely affects human health. Due to its oxidizing effect, it can destroy some vitamins in foods, in particular B vitamins. This can cause various diseases from the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt the metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, this preservative should not be used in foods that serve as sources of these vitamins. Also, E225 can cause powerful allergic reactions and is even more difficult to digest in people who have impaired renal excretory function. Some wines (red), for example, with too much sulfite, can cause intense headaches, intestinal upset, allergic skin reactions or even hives. The additive is prohibited for use in children’s food. It is also forbidden to use the supplement in people suffering from bronchial asthma, as it can provoke attacks. Asthma deaths associated with sulfites have also been reported.
It can be concluded that potassium sulfite has a large number of side effects, so it is recommended to avoid its use, thereby consuming high-quality organic food products.