What foods contain sulfur dioxide?
- Seafood and Meat: Seafood which can contain sulfites include canned clams, all types of shrimp, lobster, scallops, and dried cod. Processed meats such as hot dogs, deli meats, and sausages can all contain sulfites.
- Fruit: Sulfur dioxide is used to preserve color and texture in dried fruits, but it can also be found in frozen, canned, and bottled fruit products. Other fruit items that can contain it are glazed fruits, fruit toppings, and maraschino cherries.
- Vegetables: Canned and dried vegetables, pickled vegetables, and some frozen vegetables such as potatoes can contain sulfites.
- Beverages: Wine, beer, cider, vegetable juices, soft drinks, grape juice, bottled lemon and lime juice can all contain sulfur dioxide.
As you can see many different foods can contain sulfur dioxide.
Possible Concerns
Sulfur dioxide has been considered Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) for most people, but there are some individuals who should be very careful not to consume sulfur dioxide – those with a sulfite allergy and those with asthma. It has been found that 3 to 10% of asthmatics experience a reaction to sulfur dioxide. This can include tightness in the chest and throat, wheezing, coughing, or difficulty breathing.
The Code of Federal Regulation Title 21 does state stipulations for use of sulfur dioxide: not to be used in meats (not sure why it is found in some processed meats??), not to be used on fruits and vegetables intended to be served raw (there have been deaths reported with using sulfur dioxide in this manner), and finally it is not to be used in foods that are recognized as a source of vitamin B1 (thiamine). This is because sulfur dioxide can produce a vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. Symptoms of this deficiency can include depression, pupillary dilation, ataxia which can progress to seizures and sudden death. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that foods that are a significant source of thiamine in the human diet not be treated with sulfur dioxide or any sulfating agent. One study found that ingesting sulfur dioxide through beverages may effectively reduce the level of thiamine in the rest of the diet.
Sulfur dioxide can also adversely lower birth weight in babies born to women over the age of 35. When pregnant, no matter your age, it is important to limit the consumption of any chemicals to protect the unborn child.
Avoiding Sulfur Dioxide
It is in the best interest of our health to avoid as many chemicals as possible. Our liver has been tasked with detoxifying these toxins from our body. Choosing organic dried fruit as it does not contain sulfur dioxide can help avoid sulfur dioxide. Do note that organic dried fruit will not have as long as a shelf life as standard dried fruit, but it can be frozen to extend the shelf life. A 2016 Toxicology Report recommended avoiding sulfur dioxide in your diet as much as possible. When reading labels look for terms such as sulfite, potassium bisulfite, or metabisulfites. Removing or at least decreasing any foods that contain sulfur dioxide is another way to invest in your health.
Taking small baby steps like removing as many food additives from your diet as possible is a great way to start investing in your own health.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Heather
Dried fruit that can contain sulfur dioxide.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0007097180900236#:~:text=Sulphur%20dioxide%20is%20widely%20used,subjects%2C%20even%20in%20high%20dilution.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7426352/
- https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-risks-sulfur-dioxide-dried-fruits-3921.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/sulfur-dioxide
- https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/article/46821/allergens-a-look-at-sulphur-dioxide-and-sulphites/
- https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/crnr/so2driedfruitig.pdf
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/317156-the-health-risks-of-sulfur-dioxide-in-dried-fruits/
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=182.3862
- http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v21je15.htm
- https://www.courses.psu.edu/fd_sc/fd_sc400_jnc3/small/preserve.htm
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22043719/
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=182.3862
