Metabisulphite for Coconuts

[meatheadmerlin]

I was reading the ingredients for Goya(R) Coconut Water and saw that it contains potassium metabisulphite (E224) as a preservative, and gives an allergy warning for sulphur dioxide.

Knowing how potassium compounds are usually chemically similar to sodium compounds, I thought briefly about the potential to drop gold from solution with it, but I doubt there is very much with it being the last ingredient listed.

I assume the sulfur dioxide warning is from the potassium metabisulfite decomposing.

I looked to see if this was common for coconut products and found this pdf, if anyone else is curious.
Safe use of sodium metabisulfite in young coconuts

There is a good basic write up on E224 as a food additive here
Potassium disulphite (Potassium metabisulphite)
E223 is sodium metabisulphite.

 

[Geo]

Sodium metabisulfite is a preservative that was widely used for canning. Most grocery stores stocked it on the shelf in the canning section. It is used today in packaged fried foods like potato chips and in canned foods like soups and canned meats.