Foods Containing E522 (Aluminium Potassium Sulphate)
E522 (Aluminium Potassium Sulphate) is a mineral salt, used as a acidity regulator to help control the acidity or alkalinity of food. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E522
E522 is used across baked goods, soft drinks, sweets, dairy products and processed foods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Baked goods
- Soft drinks
- Sweets
- Dairy products and processed foods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E522 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E522" or as "Aluminium Potassium Sulphate".
How to spot E522 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "acidity regulators: E522" or "acidity regulators: aluminium potassium sulphate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Aluminium Potassium Sulphate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E522?
E522 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E522 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E522: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).