Sodium Bisulfite

Sodium Bisulfite

Sodium Bisulfite

What is it:

Sodium bisulfite, a salt derived from sulfurous acid, is commonly used as a preservative and antioxidant. Its production involves the reaction of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with sulfur dioxide (SO2). Sodium bisulfite is an antimicrobial agent, preventing spoilage and oxidation in food products. It is particularly used in the preservation of fruits, vegetables, and beverages such as wine

Rating:

Sodium bisulfite has demonstrated a lack of toxicity in animals in some studies, while other studies suggest that it may trigger intestinal inflammation. It appears to be able to damage human lymphocytes, likely due to the genotoxic nature of sulfur dioxide, and may also inhibit the growth of beneficial gut bacteria at concentrations considered safe. Human research is lacking. Due to many reported adverse reactions such as anaphylactic and asthmatic reactions with increased use of sulphites in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, the FDA banned the use of sulphites in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Resources:

  1. Sodium bisulfate triggers intestinal inflammation in mice (animal study)
  2. EFSA re-evaluation of sodium bisulfite and other sulfur-based compounds (review)
  3. Cytogenetic damage induced in human lymphocytes by sodium bisulfite (in vitro study)
  4. Adverse reactions to sulphite additives prompts FDA to prohibit use on fresh fruits and vegetables (review)
  5. Sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite inhibit the growth of beneficial gut bacteria at concentrations considered safe (in vitro study)

How we rate ingredients

Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:

Clean

It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.

Caution

It goes into one or more of the below categories

  • It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
  • It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)

We Avoid

It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)

Top Ingredients To Avoid

Advantame

Advantame is a non-nutritive, high-intensity artificial sweetener that is similar …
Read More

Recent Articles

Get the dirt on clean eating

Stay in the know with the latest ratings, articles, and our newsletter, The Dirt.