Many people with asthma are sensitive to food additives known as sulfites. Sulfites consumed in foods have been known to cause severe asthma attacks in asthmatics all over the world.
Unfortunately, many restaurants use sulfiting agents–including sodium bisulfite, potassium meta bisulfate, and sulfur dioxide — to prevent discoloration and bacterial growth in green salads, cut and sliced fruit, frozen shellfish, and many other foods.
The types and severity of reactions to sulfites in sensitive individuals vary, and may include breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock, severe headaches, abdominal pain, stuffy and or runny nose, flushing of the face and a “hot flash” feeling, diarrhea, irritability, and/or feelings of anger. These symptoms seem to occur quickly, usually within 20 to 30 minutes after consuming sulfites.
Here’s an eye opening video on sulphites:
Obviously, sulfites pose a greater danger to some people than to others. In particular, asthma sufferers, people with a history of allergies, or a deficiency of the liver enzyme sulfite oxidase can suffer great harm. In the United States alone, sulfites have been implicated in at least 13 deaths.
You will always find it easy to determine if a food product contains sulfites. Sulfiting agents may appear in food ingredient lists in many varieties. For example, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium meta-bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, potassium meta-bisulfite and sulfur dioxide.
You can safely assume that any ingredient included on a food product’s ingredient list ending in -sulfite to be a sulfiting agent. If you believe you have suffered a reaction after ingesting a food which you believe contained sulfites, you should be cautious of ingesting any of the foods and beverages listed in the table below.
Fresh Fruits and Beverages
- Avocado dip (guacamole)
- Coleslaw
- Grapes
- Mushrooms
- Potatoes
- Prepared cut fruit or vegetable salads
Fish and shellfish
- Canned seafood soups
- Clams
- Crabs
- Dried fish
- Fresh shellfish, especially shrimp
- Frozen, canned, or dried shellfish
- Lobster
- Oysters
- Scallops
- Shrimp
Prepared or Processed Foods
- Beet sugars
- Breading mixes
- Breakfast cereals
- Brown sugar
- Canned fruit pie fillings
- Canned mushrooms
- Caramels
- Corn, maple, and pancake syrups
- Cornstarch
- Dietetic processed foods
- Dried or canned soups
- Dry salad dressing mixes
- Frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
- Frozen French fries
- Glazed fruits
- Hard candles
- Horseradish
- Jams and jellies
- Maraschino cherries
- Noodle and rice mixes
- Olives
- Onion relish
- Pickles
- Potato chips
- Sauces and gravies
- Sauerkraut
- Shredded coconut
- Trail mixes
- Wine vinegar
Miscellaneous
- Apple cider
- Baked goods
- Beer
- Bottled, canned, or frozen fruit juices
- Bottled, canned, or frozen vegetable juices
- Cocktail mixes
- Colas
- Cordials
- Cornmeal
- Frozen doughs
- Fruit drinks
- Gelatin
- Instant tea mixes
- Wines
If you suspect you have had a negative reaction to one of the above listed foods or to one that isn’t listed, be sure to make a note of the brand and type of food or beverage you’ve consumed. Check the label and see if the ingredient list includes a sulfite. If it does, and you can’t live without that particular fruit or beverage, try to find a replacement that’s missing the sulfite.
If you can’t find a suitable replacement, we would suggest you stop eating that particular brand or type of food or beverage. You’ll feel better.
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