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Sulfur Dioxide (E220) — What You Need to Know

Caution(5/10)Synthetic

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Sulfur Dioxide?

Sulfur dioxide is one of the oldest known food preservatives. It occurs naturally in small amounts in fermented foods and wine, but the commercial form is synthetically produced. It is highly effective at preventing oxidation and microbial growth. Sulfites (the family of compounds including sulfur dioxide) are mandatory declared allergens in many countries because they can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals.

What Is It Used For?

Preserves dried fruits, wines, fruit juices, and pickled foods. Prevents browning (oxidation) of cut fruits and vegetables. Also used as a bleaching agent in some foods.

Function: Preservative and antioxidant
15 mg
Dataset exposure estimate
49 mg
ADI-derived reference (70 kg)
30.6%
of ADI (typical diet)

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
0.7 mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇪🇺 EU: Authorized
🇺🇸 US: Approved
🇯🇵 JP: Approved
🇦🇺 AU: Approved
🇨🇦 CA: Approved
⚠️ Key Concerns

Sulfites can cause severe allergic-type reactions in sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma. Reactions range from mild (hives, flushing) to severe (anaphylaxis). The FDA estimates 1% of the general population and up to 5% of asthmatics are sulfite-sensitive. The FDA requires mandatory labeling of sulfites above 10 ppm and banned its use on raw fruits and vegetables served in restaurants in 1986.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Sulfur Dioxide an editorial context label of Caution with a score of 5/10. This is 0.7 points below the database average for preservatives (5.7/10). Dataset reference year: 2016. The dataset's population estimate equals about 30.6% of the listed ADI.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

WineDried fruitFruit juicesVinegarPickles
Example brands:
Sun-Maid raisins

Always check the label for E220 or 'Sulfur Dioxide'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: SO2
Molecular Weight: 64.07 g/mol
CAS Number: 7446-09-5
INS Number: 220
Also known as: E220, INS 220, SO2, Sulfurous acid anhydride

Frequently Asked Questions about Sulfur Dioxide

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS (restricted use on raw fruits/vegetables); EFSA/EU — Authorized. Reported concerns: Sulfites can cause severe allergic-type reactions in sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma. Reactions range from mild (hives, flushing) to severe (anaphylaxis). The FDA estimates 1% of the general population and up to 5% of asthmatics are sulfite-sensitive. The FDA requires mandatory labeling of sulfites above 10 ppm and banned its use on raw fruits and vegetables served in restaurants in 1986. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E220
INS Number
220
Category
Preservatives
Origin
Synthetic
FDA Status
GRAS (restricted use on raw fruits/vegetables)
EFSA Status
Authorized
ADI
0.7 mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2016
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.