Avoid
E222 — Sodium bisulphite
Preservative
E222 (Sodium bisulphite), a preservative, is rated "avoid": worth avoiding. A sulphite preservative used in wine and fruit products. Same asthma-trigger concern as the rest of the sulphite family.
What is Sodium bisulphite?
A sulphite salt used during winemaking and fruit preservation to prevent browning and microbial growth.
What does it do to the body?
Behaves like other sulphites: well-tolerated by most people, but a known asthma trigger in the small minority who are sulphite-sensitive.
What regulators say
EFSA withdrew the temporary group acceptable daily intake for sulphites in 2022. Mandatory EU labeling 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) ↗Frequently asked questions
Is E222 (Sodium bisulphite) safe?
EFSA withdrew the temporary group acceptable daily intake for sulphites in 2022. Mandatory EU labeling above 10 mg per kg.
What is E222 (Sodium bisulphite)?
A sulphite salt used during winemaking and fruit preservation to prevent browning and microbial growth.
What does Sodium bisulphite do to the body?
Behaves like other sulphites: well-tolerated by most people, but a known asthma trigger in the small minority who are sulphite-sensitive.
What are other names for E222?
E222 is also known as sodium bisulphite, sodium hydrogen sulphite.
