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Potassium Chloride (E 508)

Last reviewed October 19, 2026

In plain words: Potassium chloride (E 508) is the potassium counterpart of table salt. Food makers use it to replace some sodium chloride.

What the evidence review says

Potassium chloride is a salt substitute used to replace some table salt. EFSA's 2019 review found no safety concern for the general population at reported food-additive uses, and FDA has encouraged its use to lower sodium. People whose kidneys do not clear potassium normally, or who take medicines that raise potassium, are a separate case; high potassium in those groups has been linked with a condition called hyperkalemia.

No safety concern for the general population at reported food-additive uses in the 2019 EFSA review, and FDA has encouraged its use to lower sodium. People whose kidneys do not clear potassium normally, including some people with kidney disease, and people taking medicines that raise potassium, are a separate case: high potassium intake from salt substitutes or supplements in those groups has been linked with hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). The National Academies did not set an upper intake level for the general population because evidence of harm from typical dietary potassium was insufficient.

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This page is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 19, 2026.