Sulfites allergy: where it hides in an ingredients list
Sulfites are preservatives that must be disclosed at concentrations above 10 mg/kg. In ingredients, they are almost always listed by code rather than by name.
Names it appears under
- E220
- E221
- E222
- E223
- E224
- E225
- E226
- E227
- E228
- sulfur dioxide
- sulfurous anhydride
- sodium sulfite
- potassium metabisulfite
Where you expect it
- wine
- dried fruits
- canned vegetables
Where you do not
- light-colored dried fruits — dried apricots, raisins
- potato semi-finished products
- vinegar
- fruit juices and concentrates
- shrimp
- gelatin
Frequently asked questions
- Why are dried apricots bright orange?
- Usually due to sulfur dioxide treatment: it prevents darkening. Dried apricots without sulfites are darker and duller.
- Do sulfites cause allergies or intolerance?
- Reactions of the intolerance type are more commonly described, including in people with asthma. Disclosure in the ingredients is mandatory in any case.
Check the package rather than remember the list. Photograph the barcode and the app reads the ingredients and flags what you marked.
Other allergens: Milk · Egg · Peanut · Tree nuts · Fish · Crustaceans · Mollusks · Soy · all fourteen
This reference is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor.