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Sulphite Sensitivity
In addition to the general information about food allergies, here are some issues that people with a sulphite sensitivity should know about.
Allergy or sensitivity
True allergic reactions only occur after exposure to an allergenic protein. Since sulphites are not proteins, a reaction to sulphites is not due to an allergy but to a sensitivity. Regardless, a sulphite-sensitive person may experience the same life-threatening symptoms during a reaction to sulphites as occurs during an allergic reaction.
Where sulphites are used
Sulphites are added to some processed foods to maintain colour, prolong shelf life and prevent the growth of microorganisms. Sulphites are also sometimes used to bleach food starches and are used in the production of some packaging materials, such as cellophane. The use of sulphites in food is regulated under Canadian law.
Read the Labels
If you're sensitive to sulphites, the only way to avoid a reaction is to avoid all food and products that contain sulphites and sulphites derivatives. Don't eat a food or product if the label has precautionary statements such as "may contain sulphites". Read ingredient lists carefully and learn to identify other names for sulphites, such as potassium bisulphite. Do not consume a food or product if there is no ingredient list or if there is a risk they might have been in contact with sulphites. If there is not enough information to make a decision, you can always call to ask the company or speak to a knowledgeable person at a restaurant.
Sources of sulphite
Other names for sulphites
- E 220, E 221, E 222, E 223, E 224, E 225, E 226, E 227, E 228 (European names)
- Potassium bisulphite or metabisulphite
- Sodium bisulphite, dithionite, metabisulphite or sulphite
- Sulphur dioxide
- Sulphiting agents
- Sulphurous acid
Food and products that often contain sulphites
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer and cider
- Bottled lemon and lime juices and concentrates
- Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables
- Cereal, cornmeal, cornstarch, crackers and muesli
- Condiments, for example, coleslaw, horseradish, ketchup, mustard, pickles, relish and sauerkraut
- Dehydrated, mashed, peeled and pre-cut potatoes, and frozen french fries
- Dried fruits and vegetables, such as apricots, coconut and raisins, sweet potato
- Dried herbs, spices and teas
- Fresh grapes
- Fruit fillings and syrups, gelatin, jams, jellies, preserves, marmalade, molasses and pectin
- Fruit and vegetable juices
- Glazed and glacéed fruits, for example, maraschino cherries
- Starches, (for example, corn starch, potato starch)
- Sugar syrups, for example, glucose, glucose solids, syrup dextrose, corn syrup, table syrup
- Tomato pastes, pulps and purees
- Vinegar and wine vinegar
- Wine
Other possible sources of sulphites
- Baked goods, especially with dried fruits
- Deli meats, hot dogs and sausages
- Dressings, gravies, guacamole, sauces, soups and soup mixes
- Fish, crustaceans and shellfish
- Granola bars, especially with dried fruit
- Noodle and rice mixes
- Snack foods, for example, raisins, fruit salad
- Soy products
Non-food sources of sulphites
- Bottle-sanitizing solutions for home brewing
- Cellophane
Where can I get more information?
For more information about food allergies:
- Consult an allergist.
- Refer to Health Canada’s Food Allergies web page
- Refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Food Allergens web page
- Sign up for the CFIA’s "Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts" email or RSS notification service
- Order free copies of this brochure by calling 1-800-442-2342/TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday).
- Visit these organizations for additional allergy information:
This information was developed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada, in consultation with Allergy/Asthma Information Association, Anaphylaxis Canada, Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires, Canadian Celiac Association and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
CFIA P0707E-10
Catalogue No.: A104-84/2010E
ISBN: 978-1-100-14805-2
