E221 — Sodium sulphite
E221 (Sodium sulphite), a preservative, is rated "avoid": worth avoiding. A sulphite preservative used in wine, dried fruit, and processed potato. Same asthma-trigger concern as sulphur dioxide for the ~1% who are sensitive.
What is Sodium sulphite?
A sulphite salt used to preserve color and prevent spoilage in wine, dried fruit, processed potatoes, and fish products. Releases sulphur dioxide gas in solution.
What does it do to the body?
Same triggering effect as sulphur dioxide on asthmatic airways: about 1% of the population can have a breathing reaction. Everyone else metabolises it normally into sulphate and excretes it.
What regulators say
EFSA withdrew the temporary group acceptable daily intake in 2022 because of insufficient toxicology data, and the margin of exposure for some consumers fell below the safety threshold. EU labels must declare sulphites above 10 mg per kg.
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) ↗