Preservative · EU 221
Sodium Sulphite
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Sulphite is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #293 of 417.
- #293 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Sulphite is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #293 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (29th percentile).
- 2/5
- Caution
- Approved
- FDA status
- #293 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Sodium Sulphite: composite 2/5 (Caution) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 221 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | 0.7 | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 4 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Sodium Sulphite?
SODIUM SULFITE is a soluble sodium salt of sulfurous acid -sulfite- with the chemical formula Na2SO3.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide -E 220-, sodium sulfite -E 221-, sodium bisulfite -E 222-, sodium metabisulfite -E 223-, pot. EFSA overexposure risk: high. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Sodium Sulphite
Product-count (4) and safety-score (2/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 2/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Sulphite safe to consume?
Sodium Sulphite scores 2/5 (Caution). FDA status is Approved. Peer-reviewed flags sit behind the caution band. Check with a clinician for personal use.
What is Sodium Sulphite used for in food?
Sodium Sulphite is commonly used as: Processed foods, baked goods, beverages. It belongs to the Preservative category of food additives.
Where does Sodium Sulphite sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #293 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Sodium Sulphite?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Sodium Sulphite: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sulfur dioxide -E 220-, sodium sulfite -E 221-, sodium bisulfite -E 222-, sodium metabisulfite -E 223-, pot. EFSA overexposure risk: high. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.