Foods Containing E220 (Sulphur Dioxide)
E220 (Sulphur Dioxide) is a preservative gas used in wine and dried fruit — a known trigger for asthma sufferers. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E220
E220 is used across soft drinks, dried fruit, processed meats, sauces, baked goods and wine. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Wine and cider
- Dried apricots and raisins
- Fruit juices
- Frozen chips
- Sausages and burgers
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E220 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E220" or as "Sulphur Dioxide".
How to spot E220 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "preservatives: E220" or "preservatives: sulphur dioxide". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Sulphur Dioxide" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E220?
E220 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. Sulphites are among the 14 major allergens that must be declared on food labels, because they can trigger asthma attacks and allergic-type reactions in sensitive people. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E220 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E220: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).