Names on packets
Sulphur dioxide · sulfites / sulphites
Different spellings can describe the same preservative family. Read both the ingredient list and any declaration.
FROM THE ALLERGY COLLECTION
Sulphites Sensitivity
Understand the different names and forms of sulphites, what to check on ingredients lists, and how to explain your sensitivity when eating away from home.
Explore the references ↓START WITH THE SOURCE
Understanding sulphite sensitivity.
Sulphites are used as preservatives and can also occur naturally in some foods and drinks. Sensitivity to them is different from a typical allergy to a food protein. Keep the focus on the particular product, your symptoms and your clinician’s advice, rather than avoiding an entire food category by appearance.
Sulphites are preservatives that can trigger sensitivity reactions, particularly in some people with asthma. They may be added to foods such as dried apricots and drinks, but the product category does not tell you whether a particular item contains them.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗01 / RECOGNISE THE INGREDIENT
Follow sulphites through its different forms.
Look for sulphur dioxide, sulfites or sulphites and named forms such as sodium metabisulphite. Check the actual label and formulation, including bought-in sauces and ingredients used by a restaurant.
Named additives
Sodium metabisulphite · potassium metabisulphite
Some labels use numbers such as 220, 223 or 224. Check the local naming system rather than relying on one English spelling.
Products to check
Dried apricots · drinks · prepared foods
The same type of food can be made with or without added preservatives. The actual formulation is more useful than a category-wide assumption.
02 / READ THE WHOLE LABEL
Check the ingredients, not just the product name.
Check every time you buy
Look for sulphur dioxide, sulfites or sulphites and named forms such as sodium metabisulphite. Check the actual label and formulation, including bought-in sauces and ingredients used by a restaurant.
Read the full ingredients list each time, including the ingredients inside a mix or sauce. Keep the packet available if staff need to check it. A product name or front-of-pack claim cannot answer every ingredient question.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗Labels change across borders
Use the labelling guidance for the country where the food is sold. The foods covered, wording and presentation of allergen information can differ. Do not assume a familiar brand has the same recipe everywhere.
For unpackaged food, ask for ingredient information from the person preparing it. If a name or translation is unclear, keep the original wording available rather than guessing from a partial translation.
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia: labelling by country ↗What can I eat instead?
Choose a replacement for the part of the recipe you are changing. Check its complete ingredients and preparation, including other foods you personally avoid. The options below are recipe ideas to assess, not a guarantee for an individual product.
| In place of | Options to consider | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Preserved fruit | Options to considerA checked fresh or differently preserved option | What to checkConfirm the particular product and follow your own advice on sulphites. |
| A bottled drink or bought-in sauce | Options to considerAn alternative with verified product information | What to checkNo added sulphites does not necessarily mean none are present. |
03 / FOLLOW THE PREPARATION
Ask about preservatives in the actual ingredients.
Start with the supplier’s product information. Ask about preserved ingredients, bottled drinks and sauces used in the recipe. Descriptions such as fresh, homemade or natural do not establish sulphite content.
Explain the restrictions in your personal management plan. The kitchen may need to check the original packaging or contact its supplier rather than answer from the menu alone.
Get a clear answer about both ingredients and preparation before ordering. If the kitchen cannot confirm them, choose another option. A translated card can support this conversation when you do not share a language.
Read sulphite management guidance →COMMON QUESTIONS
The details that often need a closer look.
Are sulfites and sulphites different?
They are spelling variants. Sulphur dioxide and named sulphite preservatives are part of the same label check. Some countries use additive numbers as well as names, so use guidance for the place where the food is sold.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗Is sulphite sensitivity a food-protein allergy?
Usually it is a sensitivity reaction rather than a conventional food-protein allergy. It can still cause significant symptoms, especially breathing problems in some people with asthma. A clinician can assess your pattern and provide a management plan.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗Does this mean I must avoid sulphur in food?
No. Sulphites are not the same as sulphates, sulphur naturally present in food, or sulfonamide antibiotics. Tell clinicians the actual substance and reaction rather than using the broad phrase sulphur allergy.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗Does no added sulphites mean none are present?
Not necessarily: sulphites can occur naturally, including during fermentation. Use the complete product information and your individual advice. A claim about what was added does not establish a personal tolerance level.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗Can I tell from the colour of dried fruit?
Appearance is not a reliable preservative check. Read the label or ask the supplier for the formulation. Different products made from the same fruit can use different preservation methods.
ASCIA: sulphite sensitivity ↗Overview expanded 21 September 2026 using the linked references. Independent clinical review remains pending.
Add the local context.
Choose a country to open its dedicated sulphites page.
Country-specific guidance is still being prepared.