What is E508?
Potassium chloride (E508) is a mineral salt used for specified technical functions such as flavour enhancement, nutrient supplementation and pH control. Goodnessly rates E508 Safe, while food-category permissions and regulator conditions still apply.
A mineral salt used for specified technical functions such as flavour enhancement, nutrient supplementation and ph control. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Potassium chloride?
Potassium chloride is a mineral salt used for specified technical functions such as flavour enhancement, nutrient supplementation and pH control. Its function depends on the formulation and the conditions attached to the permitted use.
What's it used for?
- Providing a salty flavour in permitted formulations
- Serving as a nutrient supplement where allowed
- Supporting pH control
- Working as a stabiliser or thickener where the rules allow it
Where you'll find E508 on the shelf
You may see E508 in packaged foods where its technical function is useful and the food category permits it.
Is E508 permitted? What the regulators say
Potassium chloride is listed or permitted in the checked AU/NZ, EU and US frameworks with conditions. Permission is conditional: category, level, identity and specifications matter.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists the additive number in its food-additive materials; the permitted use, food category and conditions are set by the Food Standards Code. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The consolidated Union list includes the additive for specified categories and conditions. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | 21 CFR 184.1622 affirms potassium chloride as generally recognised as safe for specified direct-food functions, with use at levels consistent with current good manufacturing practice. [FDA source] |
Goodnessly rates E508 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- The FDA section identifies flavour, nutrient, pH-control and stabiliser/thickener functions, with conditions of use.
- The current sources checked for this draft do not state a new numerical ADI for this specific additive.
- Regulatory permissions can change; confirm the primary source when a product or use is unusual.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People comparing additive functions across products
- People checking the frequency of this ingredient in their usual foods
- People who want to consider the whole formulation and serving pattern
Goodnessly rates E508 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Potassium chloride
- 508
- E508
- Additive class (508)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E508?
E508 is Potassium chloride, a mineral salt used for specified technical functions such as flavour enhancement, nutrient supplementation and pH control.
Is E508 permitted?
E508 is listed or permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand, the EU and the US sources checked for this draft.
What should I know about Potassium chloride?
No numerical ADI for this specific additive was stated in the current primary sources checked for this draft.
How does Goodnessly rate E508?
Goodnessly rates E508 (Potassium chloride) as Safe within its rating system.
Don't decode labels by hand
Scan any product with the Goodnessly app to see its full additive breakdown and understand the label at a glance.
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