Sulfites
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Moderate · How we grade evidence
In plain words: Sulfites keep dried fruit bright and wine from spoiling. Most people handle them fine, but roughly 3 to 10 out of every 100 people with asthma can have breathing problems from them, sometimes serious ones. If anyone in your family has asthma, it's worth watching for sulfites on labels.
Also listed on labels as: Sulfur dioxide (E220), Sodium sulfite, Sodium bisulfite, Sodium metabisulfite, Potassium metabisulfite, E220-E228
What is it, and why is it in food?
Sulfites are sulfur-based compounds that stop browning and spoilage. They're in dried fruit (especially apricots), wine, some pickles and olives, bottled lemon juice, dried potatoes, and some snack mixes.
What does the science say?
| The popular claim | "Sulfites are synthetic preservatives that can trigger serious reactions." (Dr. Eric Berg lists sulfites as preservatives; the reaction claim is the standard medical one.) |
| Our verdict on that claim | Supported |
| Evidence strength | Moderate: reactions can be reproduced in challenge tests; EU flagged a safety concern in 2022. |
| Kinds of studies | Human challenge studies, reviews, EU and FDA rules |
- Asthma: Most studies find 3% to 10% of people with asthma react to eaten sulfites. People with steroid-dependent asthma and children with chronic asthma are at greater risk, and reactions can be life-threatening.1
- Real, repeatable: Unlike most suspected food-chemical reactions, sulfite sensitivity can be reproduced in challenge tests.2
- Wider safety: EFSA's 2022 review found that typical European intakes leave too small a safety margin for a nervous-system effect seen in animals and called that a safety concern.3
What do regulators say?
- FDA bans sulfites on fruits and vegetables meant to be served or sold raw, in meats, and in foods that are major sources of vitamin B1.4
- Foods with 10 parts per million or more must list sulfites on the label.5
- EFSA (2022) flagged a safety concern at current exposures; EU rules are still being decided.3
Who should be careful?
- People with asthma, especially severe or steroid-dependent asthma, and children with chronic asthma.
- Anyone who has wheezed or flushed after wine or dried fruit should talk to their doctor.
How common is it in US foods?
In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 12,473 of 438,129 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name a sulfite (about 2.8%, or roughly 1 in 35).6 It shows up most often in: pickles, olives, peppers & relishes (905); wholesome snacks (827); popcorn, peanuts, seeds & related snacks (664); cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes (566); cookies & biscuits (516). These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.
Swaps and tips for families
- Choose "unsulfured" dried fruit (it's darker but tastes great).
- Fresh lemon juice instead of bottled.
- At restaurants, ask about sulfites in wine, dried fruit and some potato dishes if someone is sensitive.
Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures
Sulfites are also in some medicines (including some injectable drugs and, historically, inhalers). Sulfur dioxide is also an outdoor air pollutant that aggravates asthma.
Frequently asked questions
Who should avoid sulfites?
People who are sulfite-sensitive, which includes roughly 3% to 10% of people with asthma. Most people don't need to avoid them.
What foods have sulfites?
Dried fruit, wine, some pickles and olives, bottled lemon juice, dried potatoes and some snack mixes.
Are sulfites the same as sulfates or sulfa drugs?
No. Sulfites, sulfates (like in shampoo) and sulfa antibiotics are different chemicals. If you have a sulfa drug allergy, ask your doctor what it means for you.
Do sulfites cause headaches from wine?
Our research didn't find good evidence for that. The proven reaction is mainly breathing trouble in sensitive people with asthma.
Related guides
Sources
Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.
- Clinical effects of sulphite additives. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2009. PubMed 19775253 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03362.x
- What do asthmatics have to fear from food and additive allergy?. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2010. PubMed 20528881 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03528.x
- Follow-up of the re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide (E 220), sodium sulfite (E 221), sodium bisulfite (E 222), sodium metabisulfite (E 223), potassium metabisulfite (E 224), calcium sulfite (E 226), calcium bisulfite (E 227) and potassium bisulfite (E 228). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 2022. PubMed 36440381 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7594
- 21 CFR 182.3862 Sulfur dioxide. Link
- 21 CFR 101.100(a)(4). Link
- FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].