E220 — Sulphur dioxide
E220 (Sulphur dioxide), a preservative, is rated "avoid": worth avoiding. A pungent preservative in wine, dried fruit, and processed shellfish. Triggers asthma attacks in about 1% of the population, mostly asthmatics.
What is Sulphur dioxide?
A pungent gas used to preserve wine, beer, dried fruit, processed shellfish, and some fruit juices. Also forms naturally during fermentation.
What does it do to the body?
About 1% of the population, especially asthmatics, react with wheezing, throat tightness, or breathing trouble; the EU therefore requires "contains sulphites" labeling above 10 mg per kg. Everyone else handles it without issue at food levels.
What regulators say
EFSA withdrew the temporary group acceptable daily intake in 2022, citing data gaps, and called for stricter controls. EU labels must declare it above 10 mg per kg. FDA-approved with an allergen-style labeling rule.
Risk rating: Avoid
Known or suspected to cause harm: a substance EFSA or another regulator has flagged, or one restricted in some jurisdictions. Best kept out of a regular diet.
Source: EFSA — follow-up on sulfites (2022) ↗