Avoid

E227Calcium bisulphite

Preservative

E227 (Calcium bisulphite), a preservative, is rated "avoid": worth avoiding. A sulphite preservative used in brewing and some fruit products. Same asthma-trigger concern as the rest of the sulphite family.

What is Calcium bisulphite?

Calcium hydrogen sulphite, used as a preservative and disinfectant in brewing and some processed fruit and vegetable products.

What does it do to the body?

Same sulphite-family behaviour as sodium bisulphite. Generally tolerated, but triggers wheezing or asthma symptoms in the ~1% of people who are sulphite-sensitive.

What regulators say

Included in the EFSA 2022 group review that withdrew the temporary acceptable daily intake for sulphites. EU mandatory labelling 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)
E-number: E227Category: PreservativeAlso known as: calcium bisulphite, calcium hydrogen sulphite, calcium bisulfite

Frequently asked questions

Is E227 (Calcium bisulphite) safe?
Included in the EFSA 2022 group review that withdrew the temporary acceptable daily intake for sulphites. EU mandatory labelling above 10 mg per kg.
What is E227 (Calcium bisulphite)?
Calcium hydrogen sulphite, used as a preservative and disinfectant in brewing and some processed fruit and vegetable products.
What does Calcium bisulphite do to the body?
Same sulphite-family behaviour as sodium bisulphite. Generally tolerated, but triggers wheezing or asthma symptoms in the ~1% of people who are sulphite-sensitive.
What are other names for E227?
E227 is also known as calcium bisulphite, calcium hydrogen sulphite, calcium bisulfite.

Related preservative

Scan any product with Yuzu — see every additive graded