E220 Sulfur Dioxide (Sulfites)

E220PreservativesOrigin: Lab-made

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VeganYes

Gluten-freeYes

HalalYes

The additive is halal, but it's very common in wine, which is not.

KosherYes

KetoYes

Low-FODMAPYes

The short answer

Sulfur dioxide (E220) and the sulfites (E221–E228) keep wine, dried fruit and shrimp from spoiling or browning. They're fine for most people, but can trigger serious reactions in some people with asthma, so labels must declare them.

52/100

Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE220

Comes fromLab-made

What it doesPreservatives

Glycemic index—

Daily limit0.7 mg/kg

Also calledSulfur dioxide, Sulphur dioxide

Avoiding sulfites?

Clean-label swaps

Clean grocery swap

Unsulfured dried apricots

Darker brown than sulfured ones, with no added preservatives.

Shop unsulfured apricots Opens your country’s Amazon store

Clean substitute

Unsulfured dried mango

Check the label for "no sulfites added".

Shop unsulfured mango Opens your country’s Amazon store

Pantry swap

Food dehydrator

Dry your own fruit with a quick lemon or vitamin C dip.

Shop dehydrators Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAWarning label required

🇪🇺 European UnionWarning label required

🇨🇦 Health CanadaWarning label required

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Allowed with limits in the US, EU and Canada, but must be declared on the label at 10 ppm or more. The FDA banned sulfites on fresh fruit and vegetables served raw in 1986 and does not allow them in meat or foods that are a source of vitamin B1. In 2022 EFSA could not confirm a safe daily limit and flagged a possible concern for high consumers.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

Body weight: 70 kg

49 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 0.7 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 14 mg a day.

What is it?

Sulfur dioxide is a gas that dissolves into sulfites, which kill microbes and stop fruit from turning brown. On labels it often appears simply as "sulfites" or "contains sulfites".

Where it comes from: Made by burning sulfur. The sulfite salts (E221–E228) are made by reacting it with sodium, potassium or calcium compounds. Yeast also makes small amounts naturally in wine.

Why it’s in food

Stops wine from spoiling or turning to vinegar
Keeps dried apricots and golden raisins bright
Prevents browning on frozen potatoes and shrimp
Bleaches and conditions some doughs and starches

Often found in

WineDried apricotsGolden raisinsBottled lemon juiceFrozen potatoesShrimp

Also listed as: Sulfur dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, Sulfites, Sulphites, Sodium sulfite, Sodium bisulfite, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium metabisulphite, Potassium metabisulfite, Potassium metabisulphite, Calcium sulfite, Calcium bisulfite, Potassium bisulfite, E221, E222, E223, E224, E226, E227, E228

Health & gut impact

Asthma & sensitivityConcern

An estimated 3–10% of people with asthma react to sulfites, sometimes severely. Reactions are rare in people without asthma.

Vally & Misso, Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench (2012)

Safety reviewUnder study

EFSA found too little data to confirm a safe daily limit and said high consumers may exceed a safe margin.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2022)

Vitamin B1Concern

Sulfites destroy thiamin (vitamin B1), which is why the FDA bars them from foods that supply it.

21 CFR 182.3862

What can I use instead?

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Ratio: 1/2 tsp per quart of water

Best for: Pre-treating fruit before drying

Lemon juice

Ratio: 1 cup per quart of water

Best for: Keeping cut fruit from browning

Unsulfured dried fruit

Ratio: 1:1

Best for: Snacking and baking

More preservatives:

Calcium Propionate E282Calcium propionate (E282) is the mold inhibitor in most packaged bread. It's considered safe, vegan and gluten-free, though a few small studies have raised questions about behavior in children and blood sugar.Use in moderation Potassium Sorbate E202Potassium sorbate (E202) is one of the mildest, most studied preservatives, used to stop mold in cheese, wine and baked goods. It's safe at normal amounts, vegan and gluten-free.Generally safe Sodium Benzoate E211Sodium benzoate (E211) is a common preservative in soda and sauces. It's safe at normal amounts, but it can form small amounts of benzene when mixed with vitamin C.Use in moderation Sodium Nitrite E250Sodium nitrite (E250) keeps bacon pink and prevents botulism, but forms cancer-linked compounds when cooked at high heat. "Uncured" meat usually has nitrite from celery instead.Best to avoid

Common questions

Is Sulfur Dioxide safe?

Use in moderation (52/100). Allowed with limits in the US, EU and Canada, but must be declared on the label at 10 ppm or more. The FDA banned sulfites on fresh fruit and vegetables served raw in 1986 and does not allow them in meat or foods that are a source of vitamin B1. In 2022 EFSA could not confirm a safe daily limit and flagged a possible concern for high consumers.

Is Sulfur Dioxide vegan?

Yes.

Is Sulfur Dioxide gluten-free?

Yes.

Do sulfites in wine cause headaches?

There's little evidence they do for most people. Dried fruit often has far more sulfites than wine, and alcohol or histamine are more likely culprits. People with asthma are the main group who react to sulfites.

Can I find wine without sulfites?

Not completely. Yeast makes some sulfites during fermentation, so even "no sulfites added" wines contain small amounts.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 182.3862 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E220
Vally & Misso, Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench (2012)
EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2022)
21 CFR 182.3862

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: October 31, 2026 · INS 220 · CAS 7446-09-5