- Sodium metabisulfite is used in wines to prevent discoloration and to stop bacterial growth. However, just one glass of wine is likely to have you at your limit.
- In foods, sodium metabisulfite is used to give the appearance of freshness, or to preserve the color in dried fruits like raisins.
- Anytime you see dried fruit that remains bright-colored, sodium metabisulfite or another sulfite has probably been added. Many salads and fruits may contain as much as five times the recommended daily maximum.
- In the US, the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of sulfites in most fresh fruits and vegetables. Sulfites used in packaged goods, such as wine that contains more than 10 parts per million, must be labeled.
- People who react severely to sodium metabisulfite usually experience difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock. Sodium metabisulfite has caused six known deaths in the last 25 years.
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