What is E385?
Sodium metabisulfite, often abbreviated as SMB, is an essential chemical compound widely used in various industries. As a sodium salt of metabisulfurous acid, it appears as a white crystalline powder with a pungent sulfur odor. In China, the production and consumption of sodium metabisulfite have seen significant growth due to its versatility and the burgeoning chemical market.
Nutritional Implications
The availability of sorbic acid lessens the nitrite levels in meat, particularly in cured meat products. And it is even more effective than other preservative such as acetate and lactate against Listeria monocytogenes in cooked bologna, one study found.
Current Regulatory Landscape