The family composed of sulfur dioxide and its salts is subject to strong negative criticism from specialists in the field of nutrition and nutrition, due to problems related to its use in various products.
The adaptation of the Italian legislation to the European one meant that the foods to which it is possible to add these preservatives increased, also increasing the maximum permitted doses.
Our body is able to cope with sulphites in doses deemed harmless, because they - before being eliminated with urine - pass through the liver and undergo the action of sulphite-oxidase. If the dose is exceeded, however, it is possible that some side effects may appear, such as headaches. It is mandatory to report the presence of sulphites in the labels of beers and wines, to allow the consumer to know what is inside the products he consumes. However, according to European legislation, if the quantity of sulphites in the various products is less than 10 mg / l (a quantity naturally produced in the fermentation process and in any case irrelevant), there is no obligation to report them on the label.
In Italy sulphites are the only antiseptic permitted in oenology, and the maximum limit that can be contained in wines intended for direct consumption is: 210 mg / l for dry white wines, 260 mg / l for white and rosé wines desserts, 400 mg / l for sweet dessert wines, 160 mg / l for dry red wines and 260 mg / l for sweet red wines.
Table (taken from: MARIANI-TESTA FOOD ADDITIVES) -
Below are the maximum amounts of sulphites that may be present in foods (according to European regulations):
| FOOD | MAXIMUM ALLOWED DOSE (mg / Kg or mg / l) | |
| Vinegar | 170 | |
| Starches | 50 | |
| Biscuits | 50 | |
| Crustaceans | 150 | |
| Filling for fruit cakes | 100 | |
| Animal jellies | 50 | |
| Molasses | 70 | |
| Stockfish and cod | 200 | |
| Glucose syrup | 20 | |
| Dijon mustard | 500 | |
| Mustard (other types) | 250 | |
| Potato and cereal based snacks | 50 | |
| Substances of meat, fish or shellfish based on animal proteins | 200 | |
| sugar | 15 | |
| Dried coconut | 100 | |
| Fruit concentrates | 250 | |
| Condiments based on citrus juices | 200 | |
| Jams and marmalades (not extra) | 50 | |
| Apricots, peaches, raisins, prunes, dried figs | 2000 | |
| Dried bananas | 1000 | |
| Dried apples and pears | 600 | |
| Dried fruit with shell | 100 | |
| Candied fruit | 100 | |
| Dried mushrooms | 100 | |
| Fruit mustards | 100 | |
| Pickled vegetables in oil, in brine | 100 | |
| Pearl barley | 30 | |
| Preparations for puree, dehydrated potato flakes | 400 | |
| Dry tomatoes | 200 | |
| Dried ginger | 150 | |
| Red wines | 160 | |
| White and rosé wines | 210 | |
| Sweet red wines (sugar over 5g / l) | 210 | |
| Sweet white and rosé wines | 260 | |
| German wines Spatlese and Auslese | 300 | |
| Bordeaux white wines | 300 | |
| French wines Sauternes, Barzac, Cadillac, Montbazillac | 400 | |
| Ausbruchwein, Trochenbeerenauslese | 400 | |
| Non-alcoholic fruit-based drinks | 20 | |
| Beer | 50 | |
| Double fermentation beer | 50 | |
| Cider and fruit wines | 200 | |
| Mead | 200 | |
| Concentrated grape juice | 200 | |
| Bevnde based on wine | 260 | |
| Lemon juice | 350 | |
| E200 | E201 | E202 | E203 | E210 | E211 | E212 | E213 |
| E214-E2119 | E220 | E221 | E222 | E223 | E224 | E225 | E226 |
| E227 | E228 | E230 | 231 | E232 | E233 | E234 | E235 |
| E236 | E237 | E238 | E239 | E240 | E242 | E249 | E250 |
| E251 | E252 | E260 | E261 | E262 | E263 | E270 | E280 |
| E284 | E285 | E290 | E296 | E297 |
