Skip to content
All ingredients
Food & BeverageSo-soE226

Calcium sulphite

كبريتيت الكالسيوم

Preservative (sulfiting agent)

The VerdictSo-so

A sulfite - a regulated allergen. Caution if you're sulfite-sensitive or asthmatic.

Why this verdict

EFSA 2016 group ADI 0.7 mg SO2 equiv/kg bw/day (E220-228); intake can exceed the ADI. Regulated declarable allergen >10 mg/kg - can trigger asthma and severe reactions in sensitive people. Also destroys thiamin (vitamin B1).

What It Is

A sulfiting agent (preservative and antioxidant); a less common sulfiting and firming agent.

WTF Fact

Sulfites are a regulated allergen - declared on labels above 10 mg/kg because they can trigger asthma attacks and severe reactions in sensitive people. They keep dried apricots orange and wine stable, and quietly destroy vitamin B1 (thiamin) in food. EFSA found intake can exceed the safe level in some groups.

Evidence & Status

IARC Carcinogen Group

Not classified

Acceptable Intake

0-0.7 mg/kg bw/day (as SO2)

EU Status

Approved (group ADI 0.7 mg SO2/kg bw, EFSA 2016; declarable allergen >10 mg/kg)

US · FDA Status

Approved (sulfite labeling required >10 ppm)

Halal Status: Halal

Mineral/synthetically produced sulfite salt; halal.

Worth Knowing

Allergen: Sulfites major allergenPossible endocrine disruptor

Also Known As

E 226

Primary Source

EFSA ANS Panel (2016). Re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide (E 220) and sulfites (E 221-228) as food additives. EFSA Journal 14(4):4438. Group ADI 0.7 mg SO2 equivalents/kg bw/day.

Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.

More In This Category

Get ORIA when it launches

Join the waitlist - we'll email you the moment ORIA lands. Then scan any product and get a clear verdict on every ingredient, in seconds.

Coming soon to iOS and Android

We use cookies to measure traffic and improve ORIA. Privacy