Sulphites - One of the nine most common food allergens
Frequently asked questions about sulphite sensitivityWhat are sulphites?Sulphites are substances that naturally occur in food and the human body. They are also regulated food additives that are used as preservatives to maintain food colour and prolong shelf-life, prevent the growth of micro-organisms, and to maintain the potency of certain medications. Sulphites are used to bleach food starches (e.g. potato) and are also used in the production of some food packaging materials (e.g. cellophane). Are sulphites safe to eat?Yes, for the majority of consumers. However, some sulphite-sensitive people, many of who also have asthma, may react to sulphites with allergy-like symptoms. Sulphites can trigger asthma and symptoms of anaphylactic reaction. I have a sulphite sensitivity. How can I avoid a sulphite-related reaction?Avoid all food and products that contain or warn that they "may contain" sulphites and sulphite derivatives as directed by your allergist. Can I have a sulphite-related reaction even if I do not eat a food or use a product that contains sulphites or sulphite derivatives?Yes. There have been reported reactions to inhaled sulphites; however, not from food itself. If sulphites and sulphite derivatives are not present in food, a reaction cannot occur. However, sulphites and sulphite derivatives can often be present under different names, e.g., potassium bisulphite. Always read the ingredient list carefully. Do not forget that cross-contamination, e.g., using the same plate that was just used to serve sulphited food, such as pickled vegetables, can also be a potential source of the allergen. What do I do if I am not sure whether a product contains sulphites or sulphite derivatives?If you have a sulphite sensitivity, do not eat or use the product. Get ingredient information from the manufacturer. Avoiding sulphites and sulphite derivativesMake sure you read product labels carefully to avoid products that contain sulphites and sulphite derivatives. Certain medications, such as an EpiPen®, contain sulphites, yet are safe for and should be used by sulphite-sensitive people as directed by an allergist. Always ask questions about food preparation, ingredients and the possibility of cross-contamination when eating out and buying food from retail food outlets, e.g., in-store bakeries, shopping centre food outlets. Avoid food and products that do not have an ingredient list and read labels every time you shop. Manufacturers may occasionally change their recipes or use different ingredients for varieties of the same brand. Refer to the following list before shopping: Other names for sulphitesE 220, E 221, E 222, E 223, E 224, E 225, E 226, E 227, E 228 (European names) Possible sources of sulphitesAlcoholic/non-alcoholic beer, cider, wine Non-food sources of sulphitesBottle sanitizing solution for home brewing Note: These lists are not complete and may change. Food and food products purchased from other countries, through mail-order or the Internet, are not always produced using the same manufacturing and labelling standards as in Canada. What can I do?Be informedSee an allergist and educate yourself about food allergies. Contact your local allergy association for further information. If you or anyone you know has food allergies or would like to receive information about food being recalled, sign up for the Canadian Food Inspection Agencys (CFIA) free e-mail Allergy Alerts and Food Recalls subscription service available at www.inspection.gc.ca. When you sign up you will automatically receive food recall public warnings. Before eatingAllergists recommend that if you do not have your EpiPen® with you, that you not eat. If an ingredient list says a product "may contain" or "does contain" sulphites or sulphite derivatives, do not eat. If you do not recognize an ingredient or there is no ingredient list available, avoid the product. What is the Government of Canada doing about food allergens?The Government of Canada is committed to providing safe food to all Canadians. The CFIA and Health Canada work closely with municipal, provincial and territorial partners and industry to meet this goal. The CFIA enforces Canadas labelling laws and works with associations, distributors, food manufacturers and importers to ensure complete and appropriate labelling of all foods. The CFIA recommends that food companies establish effective allergen controls to minimize the potential for allergic reactions. When the CFIA becomes aware of a potential serious hazard associated with a food, such as undeclared allergens, the food product is recalled from the marketplace and a public warning is issued. The Food and Drug Regulations require that most pre-packaged foods carry a label and that their ingredients appear in a list in decreasing order of proportion. However, they do not currently require components (e.g. ingredients of ingredients) of certain foods and products, such as flavouring, seasoning, spices and vinegar, to be listed on food labels. Health Canada has worked with the medical community, consumer associations, and the food industry to enhance labelling requirements for priority allergens, gluten sources and sulphite in pre-packaged foods sold in Canada. These regulations would require that the most common food and food ingredients that cause life-threatening or severe allergic reactions are always identified by their common names that consumers can easily recognize on food labels. Where can I get more information?For more information on food allergies and to subscribe to the free Allergy Alerts and Food Recalls e-mail subscription service, contact the CFIA at www.inspection.gc.ca or 1-800-442-2342 (8:00 am to 4:00 pm local time - Monday to Friday). For information on this and other Government of Canada programs and services call Below are some of the organizations that can provide additional allergy information:
Developed in consultation with the Allergy/Asthma Information Association, Anaphylaxis Canada, Association Québécoise Des Allergies Alimentaires, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the Canadian Celiac Association and Health Canada. |
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