Aluminium potassium sulfate
Other names Potash alum, E522
Aluminium potassium sulfate: high in nickel; low in salicylate. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- NickelHigh
Aluminium potassium sulfate is not a nickel compound, but it is refined from mined ore, and nickel travels with aluminium out of the ground. The purity criteria of Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 cap heavy metals in food additives rather than removing them, so a residue remains by design.
Sources· 1
- Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex, purity criteria per additive — heavy metals are capped, not excluded
- SalicylateLow
Aluminium potassium sulfate is a mineral firming and raising agent, chemically unrelated to salicylate. On this axis by additive-group association only.
- FODMAPsNone
- LactoseFODMAPsNone
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)None
Aluminium potassium sulfate (E522) is alum, the oldest of the three - used for centuries to keep pickles crisp. It carries no histamine, releases none and blocks nothing. The pickles themselves are fermented, and that is where this axis has something to say.
Sources· 2
- Maintz & Novak, Am J Clin Nutr 2007
- Comas-Baste et al., Biomolecules 2020
- GlutenNo
- FructoseFODMAPsNone
- OligosaccharidesFODMAPsNone
- SorbitolFODMAPsNone
- SucroseNone
- TyramineNone
- OxalatesNone
Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources →
React to Nickel? Check these too
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Frequently asked questions
Which intolerances does Aluminium potassium sulfate affect?
Aluminium potassium sulfate is notable for nickel and salicylate. Clear on FODMAPs, lactose, histamine, gluten, fructose, oligosaccharides, sorbitol, sucrose, tyramine and oxalates.
Does Aluminium potassium sulfate contain nickel?
Yes — Aluminium potassium sulfate is high in nickel. Aluminium potassium sulfate is not a nickel compound, but it is refined from mined ore, and nickel travels with aluminium out of the ground. The purity criteria of Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 cap heavy metals in food additives rather than removing them, so a residue remains by design.
Does Aluminium potassium sulfate contain salicylate?
Aluminium potassium sulfate contains only low levels of salicylate. Aluminium potassium sulfate is a mineral firming and raising agent, chemically unrelated to salicylate. On this axis by additive-group association only. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.
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