Potassium metabisulfite is widely used in the food and beverage industry particularly in winemaking. The reaction of potassium metabisulfite to form sulfur dioxide during the process of winemaking helps in the protection of original taste and color of the wine. Potassium metabisulfite has also been used during stabilization of beverages to prevent the growth of microorganisms. It is also used for the preservation of pickles.

Apart from the food and beverage industry potassium metabisulfite is also used in textiles, water filtration, and photographic chemicals industry. Potassium metabisulfite is used in the textile industry for cotton printing and dying. It is also used for neutralizing the effects of chloramine added in the tap water as a disinfectant. The bleaching properties of potassium metabisulfite make it a useful bleaching agent especially for the production of coconut cream.

It is also used as an alternative to sodium sulfite for precipitation of gold from the solution of aqua regia. Though potassium metabisulfite has wide applications in many industries but is predominantly used in the beer and wine industry. R&D department of leading manufacturers are working to overcome the harmful effects of potassium metabisulfite for making it completely safe for consumption.