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Sulphur dioxide (E220)
Sulphur dioxide is a preservative / antioxidant used in dried fruit, wine, cider.. The EFSA acceptable daily intake is 0.7 mg per kg of body weight per day — about 42 mg a day for a 60 kg adult.
What it does
ADI expressed as SO2. Asthmatics can be sensitive to sulphites.
Where you meet it
Dried fruit, wine, cider.
What the ADI means in practice
42 mg per day is the figure for a 60 kg adult — multiply or divide for your own weight. EFSA derives ADIs with a safety margin of typically 100×, and they describe daily lifetime intake. A single day above the ADI does not translate to harm; a permanent diet above it is what the limit exists to prevent.
This page describes the general scientific position. Allergies and sensitivities are individual: if your body disagrees with an additive, avoid it regardless of any ADI.
Sources: EFSA — food additives re-evaluations · Open Food Facts — additives taxonomy · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
What is Sulphur dioxide (E220)?
Preservative / antioxidant. ADI expressed as SO2. Asthmatics can be sensitive to sulphites. It is used in Dried fruit, wine, cider.
How much sulphur dioxide is safe?
EFSA set the ADI at 0.7 mg per kg body weight per day — 42 mg per day for a 60 kg adult, every day for a lifetime. It is a long-run average, not a single-meal limit.
Should I avoid sulphur dioxide?
For a healthy adult there is no reason to avoid it at typical intakes. If you have a diagnosed sensitivity or a health condition, your clinician's advice is the one that counts.
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