Sodium metabisulphite (E223)
- Food Caution
What is Sodium metabisulphite (E223)?
Sodium metabisulphite (E223) is a sulphite preservative used in dried fruit, wine, juices and potato products. If you are sensitive to sulphites, especially with asthma, avoid it: it can trigger wheezing and tightening of the airways. For others an ordinary serving isn't expected to cause harm, though EU experts are concerned about very high total intake.
Allergen alert. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites Yasno shows an allergen alert when this ingredient appears on a label you scan. It can only point out allergens it finds. It never says a product is free of one.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Sodium metabisulphite?
Yasno’s verdict on Sodium metabisulphite: Caution. Some evidence of a concern, it depends on the amount, or it is genuinely worth knowing. A Caution always has a specific, sourced reason.
Is Sodium metabisulphite allowed in the EU?
EU status of Sodium metabisulphite: Listed in Yasno’s EU regulatory data, with no further details recorded. Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Listed in Yasno’s EU regulatory data, with no further details recorded | Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS, a US regulatory category) |
What else is it called?
- Sodium metabisulfite
- Sodium pyrosulfite
- Sodium disulfite
- Disodium pyrosulfite
Sources
- EFSA’s 2022 assessment of sulfur dioxide–sulfites, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2022
- EFSA’s 2025 technical update, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2025
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
Yasno reads the whole label from a photo and explains every ingredient like this. It is coming soon to the App Store.