Sulfite food and beverage additives

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The topic of sulfite food and beverage additives covers the application of sulfites in food chemistry. "Sulfite" is jargon that encompasses a variety of materials that are commonly used as preservatives or food additive in the production of diverse foods and beverages. Although sulfite salts are relatively nontoxic, their use has led to controversy, resulting in extensive regulations. Sulfites are a source of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a bactericide.

Contents

Chemical principles

Inventory

Descriptive chemistry

Sulfite is SO32-, available as its sodium and potassium salts, Na2SO3 and K2SO3, respectively. When dissolved in water, these salts react with oxygen to give the corresponding sulfate salts, which are innocuous. Sodium sulfite used industrial as a corrosion inhibitor/oxygen scavenger.

Monoprotonation of sulfite gives HSO3−, which is called bisulfite. The sodium and potassium salts of bisulfite are not available, but solid and solutions of the approximate formula NaHSO3 and KHSO3 are widely marketed as sodium bisulfite and potassium bisulfite. Closely related are the metabisulfite salts with formula Na2S2O5 and K2S2O5, respectively sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite. These salts dissolve to give solutions containing the bisulfite ion.

E numbers

E numbers for sulfites as food additives are:

E150b Caustic sulfite caramel
E150d Sulfite ammonia caramel
E220 Sulfur dioxide
E221 Sodium sulfite
E222 Sodium bisulfite (sodium hydrogen sulfite)
E223 Sodium metabisulfite
E224 Potassium metabisulfite
E225 Potassium sulfite
E226 Calcium sulfite
E227 Calcium hydrogen sulfite (preservative)
E228 Potassium hydrogen sulfite

Use in wine and beer industry

Sulfites occur naturally in wines to some extent. [1] [2] [3] Sulfites are commonly introduced to arrest fermentation at a desired time, and may also be added to wine as preservatives to prevent spoilage and oxidation at several stages of the winemaking. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) protects wine from not only oxidation, but also from bacteria. Without sulfites, grape juice would quickly turn to vinegar. [4]

Organic wines are not necessarily sulfite-free, but generally have lower amounts and regulations stipulate lower maximum sulfite contents for these wines. In general, white wines contain more sulfites than red wines and sweeter wines contain more sulfites than drier ones. [5]

The compound sodium metabisulfite is used in almost all commercial wines to prevent oxidation and preserve flavor, sodium bisulfite is sold by some home winemaking suppliers for the same purpose. [6] In fruit canning, sodium bisulfite is used to prevent browning (caused by oxidation) and to kill microbes. The sulfur dioxide released by these salts kills yeasts, fungi, and bacteria in the grape juice before fermentation. Once the levels of sulfur dioxide have subsided (about 24 hours), fresh yeast is added for fermentation.

It is later added to bottled wine to prevent the formation of vinegar if bacteria are present, and to protect the color, aroma and flavor of the wine from oxidation, which causes browning and other chemical changes.

Sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite are the primary ingredients in Campden tablets, used for wine and beer making. [7] Most beers no longer contain sulfites, although some alcoholic ciders contain them.

Other foods

Shrimp are sometimes treated with sulfites on fishing vessels, the chemical may not appear on the label.[ citation needed ]

Vegetables and fruit

Sulfites are often used as preservatives in dried fruits, preserved radish, and dried potato products. Sodium bisulfite is also added to leafy green vegetables in salad bars and elsewhere, to preserve freshness, under names like LeafGreen. It can be used to preserve color of some fruits, such as bananas. [8]

Regulation and safety

Australia and New Zealand

It is approved for use in Australia and New Zealand [9]

In Australia and New Zealand, sulfites must be declared in the statement of ingredients when present in packaged foods in concentrations of 10 mg/kg (ppm) or more as an ingredient; or as an ingredient of a compound ingredient; or as a food additive or component of a food additive; or as a processing aid or component of a processing aid. [10]

Canada

Sulfites that can be added to foods in Canada are potassium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium dithionite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, sulfur dioxide and sulfurous acid. These can also be declared using the common names sulfites, sulfates, sulfiting agents. [11]

EU

In the European Union, "EU law requires food labels to indicate “contains sulfites” (when exceeding 10 milligrams per kilogram or per litre) without specifying the amount". [12]

In the European Union an equivalent regulation came into force in November 2005. [13] In 2012, a new regulation for organic wines came into force. [14]

UK

In the United Kingdom, similar laws to the EU apply. Bottles of wine that contain over 10 mg/L (ppm) of sulfites are required to bear "contains sulphites" on the label. [15] This does not differ whether sulfites are naturally occurring or added in the winemaking process. [16]

US

In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the addition of sulfites to all fresh fruit and vegetables that are eaten raw. [17]

In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of sulfites as preservatives on foods intended to be eaten fresh (such as salad ingredients). [17] This has contributed to the increased use of erythorbic acid and its salts as preservatives. [18]

Generally, U.S. labeling regulations do not require products to indicate the presence of sulfites in foods unless it is added specifically as a preservative; [17] still, many companies voluntarily label sulfite-containing foods. [19] Sulfites used in food processing (but not as a preservative) are required to be listed if they are not incidental additives (21 CFR 101.100(a)(3)), and if there are more than 10 ppm in the finished product (21 CFR 101.100(a)(4)) On July 8, 1986, sodium bisulfite (and other sulfites : "The chemicals affected by the order are sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite.") was banned from use by the U.S. FDA on fresh fruits and vegetables following the deaths of 13 people and many illnesses, mainly among asthmatics. [20]

In the United States, wines bottled after mid-1987 must have a label stating that they contain sulfites if they contain more than 10 parts per million (ppm). [21]

Safety

Toxicity

Sodium bisulfite has low toxicity, 130 mg/kg (mice, intravenous). [22] According to another source[ who? ], the acceptable daily intake is up to 0.7 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. [23] Sodium metabisulfite oxidizes in the liver to harmless sulfate which is excreted in the urine. [23]

Other health effects

It may cause adverse reactions in those who are sensitive to sulfites, including respiratory reactions in asthmatics, anaphylaxis, and other allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. [24] [25]

Adverse reactions to sulfites appear to be very rare in the general population. [26] An adverse reaction to sulfite is not a true allergy. [27] Chronic skin conditions in the hands, perineum, and face have been reported in individuals that regularly use cosmetics or medications containing sulfites. Occupational exposure to sulfites has been reported to cause persistent skin symptoms. [28]

Breathing difficulty can commence within minutes after eating a food containing sulfites. [29] Asthmatics [30] [31] may experience asthma attacks from sulfite fumes as well. Other potential symptoms include sneezing, swelling of the throat, hives, and migraine. [32] [33] [34]

A 2017 study has shown negative impacts from sulfites on bacteria found in the human microbiome. [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulfur dioxide</span> Chemical compound of sulfur and oxygen

Sulfur dioxide or sulphur dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula SO
2. It is a toxic gas responsible for the odor of burnt matches. It is released naturally by volcanic activity and is produced as a by-product of copper extraction and the burning of sulfur-bearing fossil fuels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulfite</span> Oxyanion with a central atom of sulfur surrounded by 3 oxygen atoms

Sulfites or sulphites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion, SO2−
3. The sulfite ion is the conjugate base of bisulfite. Although its acid is elusive, its salts are widely used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treacle</span> Uncrystallized syrup made during the refining of sugar

Treacle is any uncrystallised syrup made during the refining of sugar. The most common forms of treacle are golden syrup, a pale variety, and a darker variety known as black treacle, similar to molasses. Black treacle has a distinctively strong, slightly bitter flavour, and a richer colour than golden syrup. Golden syrup treacle is a common sweetener and condiment in British cuisine, found in such dishes as treacle tart and treacle sponge pudding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium metabisulfite</span> Chemical compound

Sodium metabisulfite or sodium pyrosulfite (IUPAC spelling; Br. E. sodium metabisulphite or sodium pyrosulphite) is an inorganic compound of chemical formula Na2S2O5. The substance is sometimes referred to as disodium metabisulfite. It is used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative agent. When dissolved in water it forms sodium bisulfite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium sulfite</span> Chemical compound

Sodium sulfite (sodium sulphite) is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na2SO3. A white, water-soluble solid, it is used commercially as an antioxidant and preservative. A heptahydrate is also known but it is less useful because of its greater susceptibility toward oxidation by air.

Campden tablets are a sulphur-based product that is used primarily to sterilize wine, cider and in beer making to kill bacteria and to inhibit the growth of most wild yeast: this product is also used to eliminate both free chlorine and the more stable form, chloramine, from water solutions. Campden tablets allow the amateur brewer to easily measure small quantities of sodium metabisulfite, so it can be used to protect against wild yeast and bacteria without affecting flavour. Untreated cider must frequently suffers from acetobacter contamination causing vinegar spoilage. Yeasts are resistant to the tablets but the acetobacter are easily killed off, hence treatment is important in cider production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium dithionate</span> Chemical compound

Sodium dithionate Na2S2O6 is an important compound for inorganic chemistry. It is also known under names disodium dithionate, sodium hyposulfate, and sodium metabisulfate. The sulfur can be considered to be in its +5 oxidation state.

The law in the United Kingdom on food information and labelling is multifaceted and is spread over many reforms and parliamentary acts. UK law is based on the relevant European Union rules, chiefly Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, which is implemented in the UK in the Food Information Regulations 2014, the Food Information (Wales) Regulations 2014, the Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014 and the Food Information Regulations 2014. Regulations apply to the labelling of goods pre-packaged for sale and to the provision of information regarding non-prepacked (loose) foods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bisulfite</span> Chemical compound or ion

The bisulfite ion (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogensulfite) is the ion HSO−
3. Salts containing the HSO−
3 ion are also known as "sulfite lyes". Sodium bisulfite is used interchangeably with sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5). Sodium metabisulfite dissolves in water to give a solution of Na+HSO−
3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potassium metabisulfite</span> Chemical compound

Potassium metabisulfite, K2S2O5, also known as potassium pyrosulfite, is a white crystalline powder with a pungent odour. It is mainly used as an antioxidant or chemical sterilant. As a disulfite, it is chemically very similar to sodium metabisulfite, with which it is sometimes used interchangeably. Potassium metabisulfite has a monoclinic crystal structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potassium sorbate</span> Chemical compound

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, chemical formula CH3CH=CH−CH=CH−CO2K. It is a white salt that is very soluble in water (58.2% at 20 °C). It is primarily used as a food preservative (E number 202). Potassium sorbate is effective in a variety of applications including food, wine, and personal-care products. While sorbic acid occurs naturally in rowan and hippophae berries, virtually all of the world's supply of sorbic acid, from which potassium sorbate is derived, is manufactured synthetically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potassium bisulfite</span> Chemical compound

Potassium bisulfite (or potassium hydrogen sulfite) is a chemical mixture with the approximate chemical formula KHSO3. Potassium bisulfite in fact is not a real compound, but a mixture of salts that dissolve in water to give solutions composed of potassium ions and bisulfite ions. It is a white solid with an odor of sulfur dioxide. Attempts to crystallize potassium bisulfite yield potassium metabisulfite, K2S2O5.

The sulfite process produces wood pulp that is almost pure cellulose fibers by treating wood chips with solutions of sulfite and bisulfite ions. These chemicals cleave the bonds between the cellulose and lignin components of the lignocellulose. A variety of sulfite/bisulfite salts are used, including sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), and ammonium (NH4+). The lignin is converted to lignosulfonates, which are soluble and can be separated from the cellulose fibers. For the production of cellulose, the sulfite process competes with the Kraft process which produces stronger fibers and is less environmentally costly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium sulfite</span> Chemical compound

Calcium sulfite, or calcium sulphite, is a chemical compound, the calcium salt of sulfite with the formula CaSO3·x(H2O). Two crystalline forms are known, the hemihydrate and the tetrahydrate, respectively CaSO3·½(H2O) and CaSO3·4(H2O). All forms are white solids. It is most notable as the product of flue-gas desulfurization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calcium bisulfite</span> Chemical compound

Calcium bisulfite is an inorganic compound which is the salt of a calcium cation and a bisulfite anion. It may be prepared by treating lime with an excess of sulfur dioxide and water. As a food additive it is used as a preservative under the E number E227. Calcium bisulfite is an acid salt and behaves like an acid in aqueous solution. It is used in the sulfite process for producing paper from wood chips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disulfite</span> Chemical compound

A disulfite, commonly known as metabisulfite or pyrosulfite, is a chemical compound containing the ion S
2O2−
5. It is a colorless dianion that is primarily marketed in the form of sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite. When dissolved in water, these salts release the hydrogensulfite HSO−
3 anion. These salts act equivalently to sodium hydrogensulfite or potassium hydrogensulfite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ammonium sulfite</span> Chemical compound

Ammonium sulfite is the ammonium salt of sulfurous acid with the chemical formula (NH4)2SO3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium bisulfite</span> Chemical compound

Sodium bisulfite (or sodium bisulphite, sodium hydrogen sulfite) is a chemical mixture with the approximate chemical formula NaHSO3. Sodium bisulfite in fact is not a real compound, but a mixture of salts that dissolve in water to give solutions composed of sodium and bisulfite ions. It appears in form of white or yellowish-white crystals with an odor of sulfur dioxide. For properties of sodium bisulfite, refer to the table located to the right. Regardless of its ill-defined nature, sodium bisulfite is used in many different industries such a food additive with E number E222 in the food industry, a reducing agent in the cosmetic industry, and a decomposer of residual hypochlorite used in the bleaching industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wine preservatives</span> Food preservation

Wine preservatives are used to preserve the quality and shelf life of bottled wine without affecting its taste. Specifically, they are used to prevent oxidation and bacterial spoilage by inhibiting microbial activity.

References

  1. ↑ Zacharkiw B (July 15, 2008). "Can't hold the sulphites". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  2. ↑ "Why You Shouldn't Worry About Sulfites in Wine". www.bonappetit.com. 4 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Truth About Sulfites in Wine & the Myths of Red Wine Headaches". Kitchn.
  4. ↑ Spencer B (14 November 2007). "Sulfur in Wine Demystified".
  5. ↑ McCarthy E, Ewing-Mulligan M (2012). Wine for dummies (5th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. ISBN   978-1-118-28872-6.
  6. ↑ The Many Uses Of Sodium Bisulfite
  7. ↑ Milne, George W. A. (2005). Gardner's commercially important chemicals: synonyms, trade names, and properties . New York: Wiley-Interscience. pp.  568. ISBN   978-0-471-73518-2.
  8. ↑ "DRIED FRUIT" (PDF). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. fao.org. p. 3.
  9. ↑ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code "Standard 1.2.4 – Labelling of ingredients" . Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  10. ↑ "For asthma sufferers:the facts about sulphites in food". Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Archived from the original on 2011-03-15. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  11. ↑ "Sulphites: One of the ten priority food allergens". Health Canada. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "More data on sulfites needed to "fully confirm" safety". European Food Safety Authority. April 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Food Labeling – Community Legislation". European Commission . Retrieved 2007-09-10.
  14. ↑ "Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 203/2012". Official Journal of the European Union. 8 March 2012.
  15. ↑ "Sulphite Free Diet: sulphites, sulfites and sulphur dioxide in food". Organic Wine Club.
  16. ↑ Safonov D. "7 Myths of Natural Wines with no sulphites added". Organic Wine Club.
  17. 1 2 3 Fortin ND (2009). Food Regulation: Law, Science, Policy and Practice . John Wiley and Sons. p.  288. ISBN   978-0-470-12709-4.
  18. ↑ Hui YH (2006). Handbook of Food Science, Technology and Engineering. CRC Press. pp. 83–32. ISBN   0-8493-9848-7.
  19. ↑ "Foods That Contain Sulfites". Sulfite Allergies. 2012-3-7. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  20. ↑ Molotsky, Irvin (July 9, 1986). "U.S. issues ban on sulfites' use in certain foods". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  21. ↑ Breton F. "Many organic wines contain sulfites". French Scout.
  22. ↑ Hoppe, James O. (1951). "The intravenous toxicity of sodium bisulfite". Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 101 (1): 101–6. PMID   14804299.
  23. 1 2 "Food-Info.net : E-numbers : E223: Sodium disulphite". food-info.net.
  24. ↑ Dean D. Metcalfe, Ronald A. Simon, Food allergy: adverse reactions to food and food additives, Wiley-Blackwell 2003, pp. 324–339
  25. ↑ "Everything You Need to Know About Asthma & Food". Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  26. ↑ Randhawa S, Bahna SL (2009). "Hypersensitivity reactions to food additives". Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 9 (3): 278–83. doi:10.1097/ACI.0b013e32832b2632. PMID   19390435. S2CID   205434836.
  27. ↑ "Sulphites - One of the nine most common food products causing severe adverse reactions". Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  28. ↑ Vally H, Misso NL (2012). "Adverse reactions to the sulphite additives". Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench. 5 (1): 16–23. PMC   4017440 . PMID   24834193.
  29. ↑ "Sulfites" (PDF). California Department of Public Health: Food and Drug Branch. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-23.
  30. ↑ "Sulfite Sensitivity". Cleveland Clinic.
  31. ↑ Govias GD. "Sulfite Sensitivity". American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  32. ↑ "Preservative: Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites". World Health Organization.
  33. ↑ Arora H, Kaur R (April 2008). "The role of diet in migraine headaches" (PDF). Delhi Psychiatry Journal. Delhi Psychiatry Society. 11 (1): 69–72. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  34. ↑ "What you need to know about sulphites". Eat Right Ontario. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  35. ↑ Irwin SV, Fisher P, Graham E, Malek A, Robidoux A (2017-10-18). "Sulfites inhibit the growth of four species of beneficial gut bacteria at concentrations regarded as safe for food". PLOS ONE. 12 (10): e0186629. Bibcode:2017PLoSO..1286629I. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186629 . PMC   5646858 . PMID   29045472.
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