Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of sulfur dioxide (E 220), sodium sulfite (E 221), sodium bisulfite (E 222), sodium metabisulfite (E 223), potassium metabisulfite (E 224), calcium sulfite (E 226), calcium bisulfite (E 227) and potassium bisulfite (E 228) as food additives

Abstract

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion re‐evaluating sulfur dioxide (E 220), sodium sulfite (E 221), sodium bisulfite (E 222), sodium metabisulfite (E 223), potassium metabisulfite (E 224), calcium sulfite (E 226), calcium bisulfite (E 227) and potassium bisulfite (E 228) when used as food additives. The Panel noted that sulfur dioxide, bisulfite and sulfite ions existed in a series of equilibria and that these would favour bisulfite ions at the pH of the stomach and sulfite ions at physiological pHs. Therefore, it was considered that once ingested, based on their capacity to form sulfite ions, read across between the different sulfite sources is possible; however, the Panel noted the uncertainties about the reactivity of sulfites in different foods and the resulting reaction products. The overall limited database did not indicate any concern for genotoxicity and did not report any effect in the available chronic, carcinogenicity and reprotoxicity studies after oral exposure in the diet, by gavage, or in the drinking water. A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 70 mg SO2 equivalent/kg body weight (bw) per day was identified from a long‐term toxicity study in rats. However, the Panel noted several uncertainties and limitations in the database and concluded that the current group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.7 mg SO2 equivalent/kg bw per day (derived using a default uncertainty factor) would remain adequate but should be considered temporary while the database was improved. The Panel recommended that the database and the temporary group ADI should be re‐evaluated and noted that the recommended studies could require 5 years for completion. The Panel further concluded that exposure estimates to sulfur dioxide and sulfites were higher than the group ADI of 0.7 mg SO2 equivalent/kg bw per day for all population groups.

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Food Additives—Preservatives, Antioxidants, Flavor Enhancers

“…EFSA, in its Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sulphites as food additives, also notes that sulphites can exacerbate allergic symptoms, especially in patients with asthma, as well as in those with other atopic problems. In addition, experts note the symptoms of various organs and suggest that some may be genetically determined [ 61 ].…”

Postharvest Treatments with Sulfur-Containing Food Additives to Control Major Fungal Pathogens of Stone Fruits

“…Sulfur salts have a wide range of agricultural and environmental uses, as they are currently considered safe for human ingestion when applied at suitable concentrations [23,51,52]. These food additives are used both in the food processing industry (e.g., wines and some liquors) and the fresh fruit industry, specifically as postharvest treatments for grapes (sulfur dioxide fumigations or in-package sodium metabisulfite pads) for the control of gray mold caused by B. cinerea [51,53].…”

“…Recent literature suggests that sulfur-containing salts, such as metabisulfites and aluminum-containing sulfates, are effective salts to control some important postharvest diseases of horticultural produce. Although sulfites (SO 3 2− ), bisul-fites (HSO 3 − ), and metabisulfites (S 2 O 5 2− ) have been sometimes linked to adverse allergies [21,22], the compounds in the sulfites group (E-numbers E 220-228) are currently approved as food additives for different uses on whole fresh fruits and vegetables [23]. Likewise, nowadays, the aluminum sulfates (E-numbers E 520-523) are considered of minimal human health concern in the regulated uses, after re-evaluation by the EFSA in 2018 [24].…”

Safety assessment of the active substance potassium metabisulfite, for use in active food contact materials

“…The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) delivered a scientific opinion re-evaluating sulfur dioxide (E 220) along with sodium sulfite (E 221), sodium bisulfite (E 222), sodium metabisulfite (E 223), potassium metabisulfite (E 224), calcium sulfite (E 226), calcium bisulfite (E 227) and potassium bisulfite (E 228) when used as food additives (EFSA ANS Panel, 2016). Sulfur dioxide-sulfites (E 220-228) are authorised overall in 40 food categories in the EU according to Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 5 with maximum permitted levels (MPLs) ranging from 20 to 2,000 mg/kg.…”