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Sulfur dioxide

Moderate risk
Alternate Names:
  • so2
  • sulphur dioxide
Info from food-info.net:
  • Description:
    • Function:
      • It is a colourless gas, used as preservative. It prevents enzymatic and bacterial spoilage of products. Sulphur dioxide dissolves in the aqueous phase of the product; the acid resulting from this reaction is the active agent. It is thus most effective in acid and slightly acid foods. It is ineffective at neutral pH.
    • Origin:
      • Sulphur is a common element. Sulphur dioxide is produced by burning sulphur. Its use as a preservative is associated with ancient history; it had been widely used in ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire.
    • Side effects:
      • Due to its oxidising effect, it may reduce the vitamin content in products. It is reduced in the liver to harmless sulphate and excreted in the urine. It can, however, cause breathing problems in asthmatic patients. In high concentrations (above those normally used in foods) it can cause gastrointestinal disturbances in some people.
    Dietary restrictions:
    • None - sulphur dioxide and sulphites can be consumed by all religious groups, vegans and vegetarians.
    Acceptable daily intake:
    • Unknown
    Status:
    • Unknown
Info from proe.info:
  • Description:
    • Benefits:
      • Unknown
    • General:
      • Unknown
    • Harm:
      • Unknown
    • Legal:
      • Unknown
    • Use:
      • Unknown
    • Links:
      • Unknown
    Dietary restrictions:
    • Unknown
    Acceptable daily intake:
    • Unknown
    Status:
    • Unknown
ninamvseeno.org -- site no longer live
  • Description:
      • Unknown
    Dietary restrictions:
    • Unknown
    Acceptable daily intake:
    • 0.700 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA, 2016; total for all sulphites)
    Status:
    • Approved in the EU.
References: