Sulphite sensitivity

Common symptoms caused by sulphites include:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Coughing

In people with asthma, reactions to sulphites are more likely to happen when their asthma is not well controlled.

How can I find out if I have a sulphite sensitivity?

If you believe you may have a sulphite sensitivity, it is important you make an appointment to speak to your General Practitioner (GP). If your GP believes it is a sulphite sensitivity, they should refer you to an allergy specialist, who will assess if you have a sulphite sensitivity so that an appropriate management plan can be developed. The allergy specialist may recommend a food challenge under supervision to confirm or rule out sensitivity.

Can you experience anaphylaxis to sulphites?

Anaphylaxis to sulphites is very rare, but can happen. Symptoms can include:

• Flushing
• Tingling
• Fast heartbeat
• Wheezing
• Hives
• Stomach upset and diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Collapse
• Difficulty swallowing

Should I carry an asthma reliever puffer (such as Ventolin) when eating out?

People with relatively mild reactions to sulphites, such as mild wheezing, should carry asthma relievers when eating away from home. People who are at risk of more serious reactions (anaphylaxis) should have an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and carry at least one prescribed adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®).

Food and drinks that may contain sulphites include, but not limited to:

• Drinks such as cordial, beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Salads and fruit salads
• Dried fruits
• Crustaceans: used to stop discolouring
• Gravies and sauces
• Maple syrup and jams
• Bakes good such as breads, biscuits and pies
• Sausages

Reading food labels

Under the Australian Food Standards Code, added sulphites must be declared on the ingredient label of packaged food and drinks if there is more than 10mg/kg or more in the food. Sulphites are shown on the label by code numbers (220 to 228) or the word ‘sulphite’.

If the food does not have a label (for example, sausages sold in a butcher shop) then the shop staff need to provide you with accurate information about whether the food contains sulphites when you ask for it (they can show you information on common allergens in that product or tell you about them). So, if you ask, “does this sausage contain sulphites, as I have a sulphite sensitivity?”, the food business must provide you with correct information.

Below is a list of the code numbers and the name of the sulphite ingredient used.

• 220: Sulphur dioxide
• 221: Sodium sulfite
• 222: Sodium bisulfite
• 223: Sodium metabisulfite
• 224: Potassium metabisulfite
• 226: Calcium sulphite
• 227: Calcium bisulfite
• 228: Potassium bisulfite

External resources

More information on sulphite sensitivity is available from the ASCIA website.

More about food allergies