E220: Sulfur dioxide
Preservative and antioxidant; allergen for asthmatics. Verdict: debated
| Code | E220 |
| Name | Sulfur dioxide |
| Also known as | sulfur dioxide, sulfurous anhydride |
| Group | E200–E299 — preservatives |
| Verdict | debated |
Where you meet it
- dried fruits
- wine
- potato semi-finished products
- juices
Frequently asked questions
- Why are dried apricots bright orange?
- Usually due to treatment with sulfur dioxide: it prevents dried fruits from darkening. Dried apricots without it are brown. E220 is a common trigger for asthmatics, and it is the most frequent cause of reactions to dried fruits.
- Is E220 dangerous?
- On the classification this reference uses, E220 is "debated". Preservative and antioxidant; allergen for asthmatics. That is a summary of the Russian TR CU 029/2012 list and the EU permitted lists, not medical advice.
- How do I check whether E220 is in a product I have?
- Photograph the barcode or the ingredients panel — the app reads the list and flags every additive it finds. Three checks are free, with no account.
Check a product rather than guess. Photograph the barcode and the app reads the ingredients, decodes every code and marks the ones worth knowing about.
Others in this group: E250 · E202 · E211 · E251 · the full table
This reference is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor.