Sulphites
E220–E228
E220, E221, E222, E223, E224, E225, E226, E227, E228, INS 220, INS 221, INS 222, INS 223, INS 224, INS 225, INS 226, INS 227, INS 228, sulphites, sulfites, sulfur dioxide, sulphur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium sulphite, sodium bisulfite, sodium bisulphite, sodium hydrogen sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium metabisulphite, potassium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulphite, potassium sulfite, potassium sulphite, calcium sulfite, calcium sulphite, calcium hydrogen sulfite, calcium hydrogen sulphite, potassium hydrogen sulfite, potassium hydrogen sulphite
What it is
Sulphites are sulfur-based preservatives and antioxidants used to slow browning and microbial spoilage. The family includes sulfur dioxide and sodium, potassium and calcium sulphite salts, and they are common in wine, dried fruit and processed potato products.
Why BOTIA flags it
Sulphites stop browning and microbial spoilage, and are common in wine, dried fruit and processed potato. In acidic conditions they can release sulfur dioxide, which can trigger asthma symptoms within minutes in sensitive people — one of the relatively few food-additive reactions that can be immediate and severe. That is why labels must declare sulphites above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L, even when only residues remain; JECFA set a group ADI of 0–0.7 mg/kg body weight per day, expressed as sulfur dioxide.
BOTIA CAN
- Detect E220–E228, INS 220–228 and the main sulphite/sulfite chemical names when they are explicitly declared.
- Explain why sulphites are used, where they commonly appear, their rapid respiratory effects in sensitive people, the EU declaration threshold and the JECFA group ADI.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Determine the amount or residual sulfur dioxide concentration from an ingredient list or from a statement such as “contains sulphites”.
- Predict whether a particular person will react to sulphites or how severe that reaction would be.