E515Potassium sulphates

E515 covers potassium sulfate (515i) and potassium hydrogen sulfate (515ii). In Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT these substances have the functions acidity regulator.

Code: E515 · INS 515
Group: Acidity regulator

In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1

Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy

How E515 appears on labels

IngredientsIllustrative example

Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, acidity regulator (515), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).

acidity regulator (515)acidity regulator 515E515INS 515On Vietnamese labels: Kali sulfat

INS sub-codes

INS 515(i)Potassium sulfate

INS 515(ii)Potassium hydrogen sulfate

Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)

Potassium sulphates in food

Bread and rolls Fine bakery wares

Questions about potassium sulphates

What is E515 (potassium sulphates)?

According to Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the forms of E515 have the functions acidity regulator; the function of each form is on its own row of the appendix.

Is potassium sulphate harmful?

In 2019 EFSA concluded that exposure to sulphate from sulphuric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts (E513–E517) does not raise a safety concern at the reported uses and use levels, and that there is no need for a numerical ADI. EFSA noted that mean and 95th percentile exposure are far below the 300 mg/kg dose that caused a laxative effect in humans.

Is E515 permitted in Vietnam?

Yes. Potassium sulfate (ins 515(i)) and potassium hydrogen sulfate (ins 515(ii)) are all listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.

Other acidity regulators

E507Hydrochloric acidvery low E513Sulphuric acidvery low E514Sodium sulphatesvery low E516Calcium sulphatevery low E523Aluminium ammonium sulphatemoderate E524Sodium hydroxidevery low

See all acidity regulators →

Updated 21 October 2026

How Yenzo scores

Sources (3)

Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e515)
Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
EFSA Journal (2019). Re-evaluation of sulphuric acid and its sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts (E 513, 514 (i), 514 (ii), 515 (i), 515 (ii), 516 and 517) as food additive

Information only, not medical advice. The risk level is the additive's class in Yenzo's open scoring method, based on the cited source.