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E220Sulphur dioxide

E220 is sulphur dioxide, a gas. In food it holds back microbes, slows oxidation and keeps the colour; it is often used for dried fruit, wine and fruit juice concentrates.

Code
E220 · INS 220
Group
Preservative, Antioxidant, Bleaching agent, Flour treatment agent
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalemoderate?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2022

How E220 appears on labels

IngredientsIllustrative example

Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, preservative (220), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).

preservative (220)preservative 220E220INS 220On Vietnamese labels: Sulfua dioxyd

Sulphur dioxide in food

Dried fruit, jams
Dried, pickled and frozen vegetables
Pasta, flour, starch
Fish and shellfish
Sugar, syrups
Seasonings, sauces, vinegarJuices, flavoured drinks
Wine, beer, cider
Potato and cereal snacks

Questions about sulphur dioxide

What is E220 (sulphur dioxide)?

It is sulphur dioxide, a gas, and the first of the “sulfur dioxide–sulfites” (E220–E228) that EFSA assesses as one group. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists E220 as preservative, antioxidant, bleaching agent and flour treatment agent.

Is sulphur dioxide harmful?

In 2022 EFSA concluded that the available data were not adequate to set an ADI and withdrew the temporary group ADI of 0.7 mg/kg body weight per day (as SO₂ equivalents) set in 2016. It used a margin of exposure (MOE) instead, which should be at least 80. At the estimated intakes the MOE at the upper end of the 95th percentile range was below 80 in every population group except adolescents, and EFSA concluded that this raises a safety concern. The main sources are beer and wine for adults, and flavoured drinks and juices for children.

Is E220 permitted in Vietnam?

Yes. Sulphur dioxide (INS 220) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, as a preservative, antioxidant, bleaching agent and flour treatment agent.

Can children and pregnant women have sulphur dioxide?

EFSA estimated intake separately for infants (12 weeks to 11 months), toddlers (12–35 months) and children (3–9 years). In all three groups the MOE at the upper end of the 95th percentile range was below the minimum of 80, which EFSA treated as a safety concern. For young children the main sources are flavoured drinks, juices and dried fruit. The opinion has no separate group for pregnant women.

Other preservatives

Found in these products

Information only, not medical advice. The risk level is the additive's class in Yenzo's open scoring method, based on the cited source.

Does the product in your hand contain E220?

Photograph the label — Yenzo tells you right away and rates the product.

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