What are sulphites and why do they cause reactions?

Sulphites (E220-E228) are preservatives used to prevent browning and bacterial growth in foods and drinks. About 1% of the population is sensitive to sulphites, with reactions ranging from headaches and flushing to breathing difficulties in severe cases (especially asthmatics). Sulphites are found in wine, dried fruit, processed meats, and many packaged foods.

What foods contain sulphites?

High-sulphite foods include wine (especially white and rosé), dried fruits (apricots, raisins, prunes), pickled foods, processed meats (sausages, bacon), fruit juices, cordials, and many ready meals. Sulphites appear on labels as E220-E228, sulphur dioxide, sodium sulphite, sodium metabisulphite, or potassium metabisulphite.

How do I know if I'm sulphite sensitive?

Common sulphite sensitivity symptoms include headaches, flushing, hives, stomach upset, breathing difficulties (especially if asthmatic), and nasal congestion. Symptoms typically occur within 15-30 minutes of consuming sulphite-containing foods. Tracking your food intake and reactions helps identify if sulphites are your trigger.

Track Sulphite Sensitivity & Find Hidden E220-E228

Wine headaches. Reactions to dried fruit. Breathing issues after certain foods. Sulphites (E220-E228) are hidden in more foods than you'd expect. NutraSafe scans ingredient lists to find them and tracks your reactions to identify your tolerance threshold.

What Are Sulphites?

Sulphites are a group of sulphur-based preservatives used to prevent browning, inhibit bacterial growth, and extend shelf life. They've been used in food preservation for centuries.

About 1 in 100 people are sensitive to sulphites, with reactions ranging from mild (headaches, flushing) to severe (breathing difficulties, particularly in asthmatics).

Sulphite E-Numbers

E-Number	Name	Common Uses
E220	Sulphur Dioxide	Wine, dried fruit, fruit juices
E221	Sodium Sulphite	Processed foods, wine
E222	Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite	Wine, beer, soft drinks
E223	Sodium Metabisulphite	Sausages, burgers, processed meat
E224	Potassium Metabisulphite	Wine, beer, cider
E226	Calcium Sulphite	Cider, fruit juices
E227	Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite	Beer, wine
E228	Potassium Hydrogen Sulphite	Wine, fruit products

Sulphite Sensitivity Symptoms

Reactions typically occur within 15-30 minutes of consuming sulphite-containing foods. Severity varies widely between individuals.

🤕 Headaches (including "wine headaches")

😳 Flushing, facial redness

🤧 Nasal congestion, runny nose

😮‍💨 Breathing difficulties, wheezing

🔴 Hives, skin irritation

🤢 Stomach upset, nausea

⚠️ Asthma Warning

Sulphite sensitivity is more common and potentially more severe in people with asthma. If you have asthma and experience breathing difficulties after eating, sulphites should be a prime suspect. Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe.

Foods High in Sulphites

Sulphite content is measured in parts per million (ppm). Foods with >10ppm must declare sulphites on the label in the UK.

🍷 Wine

White and rosé typically higher than red. "Contains sulphites" is mandatory on labels. 50-350 ppm.

🍑 Dried Fruit

Apricots, raisins, prunes, dates - unless labelled "unsulphured". Can contain 500-2000 ppm.

🥓 Processed Meats

Sausages (like Richmond), bacon, ham, burgers. Check for E223.

🍋 Lemon/Lime Juice

Bottled citrus juice often preserved with sulphites. Fresh is sulphite-free.

🍺 Beer & Cider

Lower than wine but still significant. Some craft/organic options are sulphite-free.

🥔 Pre-Cut Potatoes

Peeled/sliced potatoes in packets often treated to prevent browning.

🍤 Prawns & Shellfish

Often treated with sulphites to prevent black spots. Fresh is safer.

🥫 Pickled Foods

Pickled onions, gherkins, capers - check labels.

💡 Hidden Sulphites

Watch out for: fruit juices, cordials, jam, vinegar, gravies, ready meals, pub chips (from packets), salad bars (sprayed to prevent browning), and some medications. NutraSafe scans for all E220-E228 variants.

How to Track Sulphite Sensitivity

1. Scan Everything

Use NutraSafe to scan barcodes before buying or eating. The app flags E220-E228 and related terms like "sulphur dioxide", "sodium metabisulphite", and "contains sulphites".

2. Log Your Reactions

When you experience symptoms (headache, flushing, breathing issues), log them immediately. Note:

What symptoms you experienced
Severity (mild, moderate, severe)
How quickly symptoms appeared after eating

3. Review Pattern Analysis

The app correlates your reactions with what you ate. After several logged reactions, you'll see which foods and ingredients consistently appear before symptoms.

4. Find Your Threshold

Some people can tolerate small amounts of sulphites but react to high doses. Tracking helps you identify your personal threshold - maybe one glass of wine is fine but two triggers symptoms.

Living with Sulphite Sensitivity

Safer Alternatives

Wine: Look for "no added sulphites" wines (organic options often have lower sulphites)
Dried fruit: Buy "unsulphured" versions - darker in colour but sulphite-free
Meat: Fresh meat from the butcher vs processed/packaged
Citrus: Squeeze fresh lemons/limes instead of bottled juice
Potatoes: Buy whole and peel yourself

Reading Labels

In the UK, foods containing >10ppm sulphites must declare it. Look for:

"Contains sulphites" or "Contains sulphur dioxide"
E220, E221, E222, E223, E224, E226, E227, E228
"Sodium metabisulphite", "Potassium metabisulphite"
"Preserved with sulphur dioxide"

Track Your Sulphite Intake

Scan foods to find hidden sulphites. Log reactions. Discover your tolerance threshold. Free to download.

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Related Guides

Always check the label. NutraSafe helps you spot potential triggers and track reactions — but ingredients change and cross-contamination varies by batch. The packaging is your source of truth.