Sulfites in Foods
Sulfites are sulfur-containing compounds commonly used as preservatives in various foods. They help prevent oxidation, inhibit microbial growth, reduce spoilage, and can even alter texture. Although many governments have banned the use of sulfites in fresh fruits and vegetables, they are still widely used in products such as dried fruits, wine, seafood, and certain meats.
If you are trying to avoid sulfites in your diet, it's essential to read food labels carefully. However, keep in mind that sulfites may not always be clearly listed, especially when they are present in sub-ingredients like dried coconut or dried fruit.oconut or dried fruit.
Anti-Sulfite Diet:
List of Foods Containing Sulfites
01
Alcoholic Beverages
Some beers, cocktail mixes, wine, wine coolers, champagne.
02
Pastries
Fruit pies, cookies, crackers, mixes with dried fruits or vegetables, pie crust, pizza crust, quiche crust, flour tortillas.
03
Drink Mixes
Dried citrus fruit beverage mixes.
04
Condiments and Relishes
Wasabi, horseradish, onion and pickle relishes, pickles, olives, salad dressing mixes, wine vinegar, pickled ginger.
05
Sugars, Syrups
Wasabi, horseradish, onion and pickle relishes, pickles, olives, salad dressing mixes, wine vinegar, pickled ginger.
06
Dairy
Filled milk (a specially prepared skim milk in which vegetable oils, rather than animal fats, are added to increase its fat content).
07
Medicines
Antiemetics (used to prevent nausea), cardiovascular medications, antibiotics, tranquilizers, intravenous muscle relaxants, analgesics (pain relievers), anesthetics, steroids, and nebulized bronchodilators (used for asthma treatment).
08
Seafood
Canned clams; fresh, frozen, shrimp, canned or dried shrimp; frozen lobster; scallops; dried cod, frozen shrimp.
09
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Fresh potatoes that have been cut for french fries and hash-browns, avocado
10
Gelatins, Puddings, and Fillings
Fruit fillings, flavored and unflavored gelatin, pectin jelling agents.
11
Grains
Canned clams; fresh, frozen, shrimp, canned or dried shrimp; frozen lobster; scallops; dried cod, frozen shrimp.
12
Jams, preserves, and jellies
Jams and jellies.
13
Nuts
Shredded coconut.
14
Canned fruit products
Canned, bottled, or frozen fruit juices (including lemon, lime, grape, and apple); dried fruit; canned, bottled, or frozen dietetic fruit or fruit juices; maraschino cherries and glazed fruit.
15
Canned Vegetable products
Vegetable juice, canned vegetables (including potatoes), pickled vegetables (including sauerkraut), dried vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, frozen potatoes and store bought potato salad.
16
Snacks
Dried fruit snacks, trail mixes, filled crackers, granola bars. Many processed foods (read labels)
17
Soups
Canned seafood soups, dried soup mixes.
18
Teas
Instant tea, liquid tea concentrates,canned tea drinks.
Conclusions
Eliminating sulfites from foods can be challenging, but the table above provides a good overview of common foods that contain them. While no individual food item has a high concentration of sulfites, consuming a variety of these foods regularly can lead to moderate to severe reactions in some individuals. Fortunately, due to heightened awareness of the potential risks associated with these preservatives, many manufacturers are now offering foods from the list that are free of sulfites.
You can identify the presence of sulfites in packaged foods by checking the nutrition labels. It's important to note that the use of sulfites on fresh fruits and vegetables that are served or sold raw is prohibited. At the time this ban was enacted, a similar prohibition on the use of sulfites for potatoes was being considered. As a current recommendation, it is advisable to order potatoes at restaurants baked or cooked in their skins.
Sulfite may be present in foods as:
-
Sodium Sulfite,
-
Potassium Sulfite
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Sodium Metabisulfite
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Potassium Metabisulfite
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Sodium Bisulfite
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Potassium Bisulfite
-
Sulfur Dioxide ​​