4 replies to this topic

[Simon]

Well I know it's a preservative because it says so on the little box of raisins I stole from my kids. What I should have asked was -- is it harmful? My little 14g box of so called fruit contains 10mg of Sulphur Dioxide - and they are aimed at my kids.

Regards,
Simon

[Franco]

What I should have asked was -- is it harmful?

Less harmful than spoilage by microorganisms Franco

It's a Risk Management decision

This link shows a list of preservatives in food.

Preservatives

[Simon]

I suppose a slow death caused by sulphur dioxide beats a violent exploding and gushing of bodily fluids death caused by billions of killer microbes.

It's possible I may have exaggerated again.

Thanks,
Simon

[JaneOwen]

I suppose a slow death caused by sulphur dioxide beats a violent exploding and gushing of bodily fluids death caused by billions of killer microbes.

It's possible I may have exaggerated again.

What you have spotted is the direct effect of those nice new allergen warning requirements - sulphites have to now be declared where they are present at a level above 10mg per kg. It's an allergen mostly for those who are asthmatic - not nessecarily a slow death then...! It's a very common food additive though - usually labelled as E220 until the new requirements started to bring it out of hiding.

There's an alternative You could consider organic raisins - sulphur dioxide isn't permitted in organic fruit.

[Charles Chew]

In a hazard risk assessment, all allergens are identified regardless of permitted usage level and are dealt with as justified or under Good Label Management or risk recall.