SULPHITES

E220-228

Sulphites are preservatives that have both antioxidant and antibacterial properties, found naturally in some foods and as a result of fermentation. 

Synthetic Sulphite additives E220-228 are used extensively and can cause a full range of intolerance symptoms including headaches, skin rashes, wheezing, sinus, coughing and irritable bowel.

Sulphites are sprayed on fruits and vegetables to prevent browning, on lobster and prawns to preserve colour, as dough conditioners in pizza and pie crusts and to bleach flours.  They are also used in pharmaceuticals to maintain the stability and potency of some medications.

Wine – sulphites occur naturally and during the fermentation stage however quantities can be low so synthetic sulphites are added. Red wine has the lowest level of sulphites compared to white wine and sweet white wine has the most.

Fruits & Vegetables	Grains, Seeds & Nuts	Meat, Fish, Poultry & Dairy	Drinks, sweets & Condiments
Grapes Mushrooms Olives Vegetables Canned, dehydrated and dried Fruits, canned, dehydrated, dried, juiced, concentrates, pulp and toppings Fruit fillings Imitation fruits Maraschino cherries Candied fruit Packaged salad Potato products – fries/hot chips/crisps   Other: Gelatine Pectin	Baking batters Biscuits,cakes & pastries Flour products Wheat & flour Pie crust Pizza crust Quiche crust Cereals w dried fruits Fruit & nut mixes Nut & seed spreads Corn starch Crackers Desiccated coconut	Abolone canned Deli meats Edible casings Minced beef Modified dairy products Preserved fish including canned Processed cheeses Processed meat/fish Shellfish cooked & raw, prawns, lobster, scallops Sausage and sausage meat	Wine Beer Cider Brewed soft drinks Cocktail mixes Pre mixed alcoholic drinks Cordials Vinegar Vanilla & Almond essences Fruit juices Fruit toppings/syrups Gravies Horseradish Jam, jelly & marmalade Mayonnaise Molasses Packaged dips Pickles & gherkins Salad dressing mixes Sauces & toppings Tomato juice Vegetable juice

Food Additive name & numbers:

• 220        Sulphur Dioxide
• 221        Sodium Sulphite
• 222        Sodium Bisulphite
• 223        Sodium Metabisulphite
• 224        Potassium Metabisulphite
• 225        Potassium Sulphite
• 226        Calcium Sulphite
• 227        Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite
• 228        Potassium Bisulphate

 

Sulphites in wine www.artimondo.co.uk

Sulphite overview www.verywellhealth.com