E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite | Sulphite sensitivity, asthma risk and uses

Quick analysis summary about E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive

Bottom line about E227

E227 calcium hydrogen sulphite fits an ORANGE – SOME CONCERNS grade. It is still permitted in the EU and listed in the UK, but sulphites are a well-known trigger for intolerance reactions in some sensitive people, especially some people with asthma.[1-5]

Why this grade for E227

The key issue is not a strong cancer signal from ordinary dietary exposure. The bigger problem is the combination of recurring human sensitivity reactions, incomplete modern toxicity data, and EFSA’s 2022 conclusion that the old temporary ADI could not be retained and that high consumers may still raise concern.[2-5]

Who may want to limit or avoid E227

People with asthma, known sulphite sensitivity, or repeated reactions to wine, dried fruit, potato products, or similar sulphite-rich foods may want to avoid or limit it. People who rely heavily on preserved processed foods may also want to keep total sulphite exposure lower.[3-5]

Common uses and where E227 appears

E227 is a sulphite preservative and firming agent used to slow browning, oxidation, and spoilage. It may appear in some processed fruit or vegetable products, drinks such as wine or cider, potato products, and other preserved foods, although other sulphites are often used more widely.[1,3]

E227 source or origin

E227 is a synthetic or mineral-type inorganic calcium sulphite salt made from sulfur dioxide chemistry and calcium compounds in water.

Intake note for E227

Historically, sulphites had a group ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) of 0–0.7 mg/kg body weight per day expressed as sulfur dioxide. EFSA withdrew that temporary ADI in 2022 because the toxicity database was still inadequate and instead used a margin-of-exposure approach, with concern remaining for high consumers.[1,2]

Is E227 banned anywhere?

E227 remains approved in the European Union and is listed among approved additives in the United Kingdom. In the United States, sulfiting agents are allowed as food ingredients and must be declared on labels at 10 ppm total sulfites or more, but they are not allowed on fresh fruits and vegetables intended for raw consumption. No clear broad national food-use ban for E227 itself was identified in the other reviewed major jurisdictions.

Safety grading ORANGE – SOME CONCERNS

E227 is graded ORANGE – SOME CONCERNS because calcium hydrogen sulphite belongs to the sulphite group, where the main real-world concern is sensitivity and asthma-type reactions in susceptible people. The evidence does not support calling it broadly unsafe for everyone, but it is too concern-linked for a simple GREEN grade.[1-5]

Study basis or key toxicological reasoning for E227

EFSA’s 2016 re-evaluation kept a temporary group ADI of 0.7 mg SO2 equivalents/kg body weight per day, based on gastrointestinal effects in a long-term rat study with a NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) of 70 mg SO2 equivalents/kg body weight per day.[1] In 2022, EFSA withdrew that ADI because the toxicity database was still inadequate and concluded that high consumers of sulphite-containing foods could still be of concern.[2] Human evidence is clearer for intolerance than for classic systemic toxicity: reviews describe asthma, flushing, urticaria, abdominal pain and, rarely, severe reactions in sensitive individuals.[3] Challenge studies also show that the response is variable. Some diagnosed sulphite-sensitive asthmatics reacted to lettuce or certain acidic sulphited foods, while others did not react to every sulphited product tested.[4,5] The main caveat is that much of the direct evidence is on the sulphite group rather than on E227 alone.[1-5]

Side effects of E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive

Asthma-type breathing reactions: the best-known concern is bronchospasm or worsening breathing symptoms in sulphite-sensitive people, especially some people with asthma.[3-5]
Flushing, hives, or itching: sulphite-sensitive individuals may report skin or pseudo-allergic reactions.[3]
Stomach upset: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, or cramping can occur in sensitive people or at higher exposure.[3]
Headache or general intolerance symptoms: some people report headache or feeling unwell after sulphite-rich foods or drinks.[3]

Should You Avoid E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive?

Most people do not need to panic if E227 appears occasionally on a label. The practical question is sensitivity. If wine, dried fruit, processed potatoes, or preserved foods repeatedly trigger wheezing, flushing, hives, or stomach upset, limiting sulphites makes sense. People with asthma should be more careful than the average consumer.

Common uses of E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive

Preservative action in some processed foods
Anti-browning and antioxidant protection in certain fruit or vegetable products
Firming-agent use in some preserved produce applications
Use in some wines, ciders, and similar drinks
Use in some potato products and other processed foods where colour stability matters

Common names and synonyms of E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive

Calcium hydrogen sulphite
Calcium hydrogen sulfite
Calcium bisulphite
Calcium bisulfite
E227
INS 227

What is E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive?

E227 is an inorganic calcium salt in the sulphite family. In water and acidic foods it can release sulphite or sulfur dioxide-related species, helping slow oxidation, reduce browning, and limit some spoilage processes.

Its safety profile is driven mainly by the broader behaviour of sulphites as a group. For most consumers the key issue is not obvious long-term organ toxicity from tiny normal intakes, but the possibility of intolerance reactions in a susceptible minority and the fact that the modern toxicology database is still incomplete.[1-3]

Where is E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite food additive allowed (EU vs US)?

In the EU, E227 is on the Union list of approved additives. In the US, sulfiting agents are allowed in food with label declaration at 10 ppm total sulfites or more, but they are not allowed on fresh fruits and vegetables intended for raw consumption.

E227 – Calcium hydrogen sulphite