Sodium Metabisulfite
The short version
A sulfite preservative widely used in wine and dried fruits — a documented allergen for sulfite-sensitive individuals.
A sulfite preservative (common in dried fruit and wine). Sulfites can trigger asthma and other reactions in sensitive people and must be declared on labels, which is why we flag it.
Safety profile
JECFA set a group ADI of 0–0.7 mg/kg body weight expressed as SO2. In 2022 EFSA withdrew its temporary ADI because adequate toxicity data were not available and, using a margin-of-exposure approach, found some safety concerns for high consumers of foods containing sulfites. A documented allergen — can trigger severe asthma attacks and anaphylaxis in sulfite-sensitive individuals, particularly asthmatics (estimated 5–10% of asthmatics). Mandatory allergen labelling in the EU, US, and most jurisdictions when SO2 exceeds 10 mg/kg. Destroys thiamine (vitamin B1) in foods.
Sources
- EFSA — Follow-up of the re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide (E 220) and sulfites including sodium metabisulfite (E 223), plain-language summary (24 November 2022; EFSA Journal 2022;20(11):7594) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2022. EFSA withdrew the temporary ADI; MOE approach; safety concern for high consumers
- WHO JECFA database — Sodium metabisulfite (INS 223), evaluation 1998 (51st meeting) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1998. JECFA group ADI 0–0.7 mg/kg bw as SO2
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, Annex II point 12 — EUR-Lex, Official Journal of the European Union, 2011. EU allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg SO2
- 21 CFR 101.100(a)(4) — sulfiting agents in food labelling, eCFR current as of 2026-10-13 — U.S. eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO), 2026. US declaration threshold of 10 ppm sulfite
Checked against these sources on .
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