Sulphites in meat: uses, health effects and rules
What it found
Sulphites are widely used in food, and some meat products are a main source of sulphur dioxide exposure, especially for adults and young people.
Eating sulphites has been linked to reactions such as hypersensitivity and allergic disease, and to changes in gut and mouth bacteria.
What they found
Studies in people
Meat as a source
Several studies have looked at sulphite levels in meat and meat products. Many found that some meat preparations are one of the main sources of sulphur dioxide exposure, especially in adults and young people.
Studies in people and animals
Health reactions
Taking in sulphites has been linked to several adverse and toxic reactions, such as hypersensitivity, allergic diseases and vitamin deficiency. It may also lead to changes in the balance of gut and mouth bacteria.
Other findings
What sulphites are
Sulphites are a group of chemical compounds that release sulphur dioxide. They are widely used as food additives.
Why they are used
They act against microbes, stabilise colour, stop browning and act as antioxidants. Because of this they can be added to many products, including dried fruits and vegetables, seafood, juices, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and a few meat products.
Regulation
In many countries these additives are closely regulated. In meat products, the law restricts their use.
What the authors conclude
- They discuss the properties, technological functions, regulation and health implications of sulphites in meat-based foods.
- They place special emphasis on the chemical mechanisms involved in their interactions with organic and inorganic meat components.
How it was done
Sulphites are used in many foods for their antimicrobial, colour-stabilising, antibrowning and antioxidant properties. The authors wanted to review their properties, functions, regulation and health effects in meat-based foods.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of other studies, so it cannot prove that sulphites cause any health effect.
- It cannot show how much sulphite a person would need to eat to get a reaction.
- It cannot say whether the links seen in studies apply to all people.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, Italy
The paper
- Title
- Sulfites in meat: Occurrence, activity, toxicity, regulation, and detection. A comprehensive review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- D'Amore T, Di Taranto A, Berardi G, et al (2020). Sulfites in meat: Occurrence, activity, toxicity, regulation, and detection. A comprehensive review. Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12607PubMed 33336981DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error