toxic food preservatives - sulfur dioxide

8/13/2019 Toxic Food Preservatives - Sulfur Dioxide

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Food Additive Unit: Mahanum, Bhuvaneswary, Analiza and Junainah

Toxic Food Preservatives : Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites

Are additives safe?The vast majority of additives and preservatives appear to be safe. They have been tested bymany laboratories throughout the world before being used in foods. However, individuals may be"sensitive" to various additives and preservatives. An example of additive to be discussed here issulfur dioxide. Although very limited cases reported on sulfur dioxide toxication to human health, itis important to educate the public about the use of sulfur dioxide in foods.

According to the Food Regulations 1985 under Regulation 20(Sixth Schedule), sulfur

dioxide maybe added to foods in proportions not greater than the maximum permittedproportions.

What is sulfur dioxide?Sulfur dioxide occurs naturally in volcanic gases, in some dissolved waters of warm springs, andis a result of coal, fuel, and gas combustion. . It is produced industrially as a bleach alternative, areducing agent, and for sulfites (preservation).

What are the uses of sulfur dioxide in foods?Sulfur dioxide is used as a preservative because it works as an antimicrobial preventing thegrowth of bacteria, mold, and fungus; an antioxidant preventing rancidity; and as a chemical thatattacks enzymes that cause discoloration, ripening, and rotting, usually in fruits after harvesting. It

also helps food products maintain an appealing visual appearance. Sulfur dioxide may be labelledas sodium metabisulphite, potassium metabisulphite, sodium or potassium bisulphite or sulphite.

Types of foods added with sulfur dioxideSulfites are widely used in the preservation of fruits and vegetables and are added to manyprocessed snacks including cookies, pickles, soft drinks, meat, cereal bars, yogurt, ice cream,candy, frozen french fries, bread, margarine, and gluten-free flours. It is also used in the processof making wine and is found in ingredients like vinegar corn syrup corn starch maltodextrin

The New Straits Times, July 7, 2001Penang(Malaysia)

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) says Thai-imported longans sold in the State werefound to contain 113.6 ppm (parts per million) of sulfur dioxide and are unsafe for humanconsumption. Sulfur Dioxide, used as a food preservative, is toxic and could cause skin disordersincluding swelling, general weakness and tightening of the chest to those who are sensitive to thesubstance.


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Effects of sulfur dioxide consumption to human healthWhilst harmless to healthy persons when used in recommended concentrations, it can induceasthma when inhaled or ingested. According to (World Health Organization, 1999), sulfur dioxidewhen introduced, it inhibits specific nerve signals, restricts lung performance and is a directallergen where over 65% asthmatic children are sensitive to sulfur dioxide.

What can I do to prevent exposure to sulfur dioxide in foods?Read labels on foods very carefully and avoid all food that contains the preservative or additive.Eat more raw and living foods, get rid of processed foods in the diet, as well as buy dried nutsand snack fruits from companies known for being preservative-free and supplies healthier snack

alternatives like dried fruit, nuts and seeds, fruit juices, and gluten-free products.

Analysis of Sulfur Dioxide at Makmal Kesihatan Awam IpohSulfur dioxide is analyzed using test method E04-009 of NPHL: The Determination of SulfurDioxide in Food by Titration and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of this method is 5mg/kg. This methodwas accredited with MS ISO/IEC 17025 in 2010 and applicable for determination of sulphitescalculated as sulfur dioxide in foods.


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Table below shows total received samples for analysis of sulfur dioxide by food group and numbers of contravention from year 2008 until

September 2011 at Food Additive Unit, Makmal Kesihatan Awam Ipoh

YEAR TOTAL SAMPLES BY FOOD GROUP

TOTAL

Nut&NutPro

duct

Fish&FishProduct

Fruit&FruitProduct

Vegetable&Vegetable

Product

Cereal,CerealP

roduct

Salt&Spic

e

Confection

SoftDrink

Tea,Coffee&C

hicory

EdibleFat&

EdibelOil

Vinegar,Sauce,Chutney&

Pickle

Milk&MilkPr

oduct

Meat&MeatProduct

Sweeteningsubstance

2008 7

23

NS =

1

42

NS =

3

0 18 1 0 7 1 1 12 2 3 0 117

2009 1 26

52

NS =

2

1 12

5

12 7 0 2 6 1 0 1 126

2010 41 48 7 4 12 3 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 122

January-

September

2011

95

NS=

1

30

15

NS =

1

3 9 1

3

NS =

2

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 156


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toxic food preservatives - sulfur dioxide

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