English

Alternative forms

• sulphite qualifier mainly UK

Noun

1. Any salt of sulfurous acid.

Derived terms

• beryllium sulfite, beryllium sulphite
• bisulfite, bisulphite
• cadmium sulfite, cadmium sulphite
• hydrosulfite, hydrosulphite
• hydrogen sulfite, hydrogen sulphite
• hyposulfite, hyposulphite
• pyrosulfite, pyrosulphite
• sodium hydrogen sulfite, sodium hydrogen sulphite
• sodium sulfite, sodium sulphite
• sulfite of lime, sulphite of lime
• sulfite of soda, sulphite of soda
• sulfite pulp, sulphite pulp
• thiosulfite, thiosulphite

Translations

Sulfites (also sulphites) are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO32−.

Commercial use in wine

Sulfites occur naturally in almost all wines. They are also added to wine as preservatives to prevent spoilage and oxidation.

In the US, wine bottled after mid-1987 must have a label stating that they contain sulfites if they contain more than 10 parts per million.

In the EU an equivalent regulation came into force in November 2005. Organic wines are not necessarily sulfite-free.

• Sulfur dioxide
• Potassium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite
• Sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite or sodium sulfite

Some humans are allergic to sulfites. It is an undeclared allergen that may cause breathing difficulty within minutes after eating a food containing sulfites. Asthmatics and people with allergies to aspirin (also known as salicylate sensitivity) are at an elevated risk for reaction to sulfites. The reaction can be fatal and requires immediate treatment at an emergency room, and can include sneezing, swelling of the throat, and hives. Those who are allergic to sulfites are urged to avoid products that could contain them.

see also Anaphylaxis

See also

• SO52− persulfate ion
• SO42− sulfate ion
• SO22− hyposulfite ion
• S2O32− thiosulfate ion
• Category:Sulfites for a list of sulfites.

References

External links

• Sulphites in wine at morethanorganic.com
• Food allergies rare but risky (Food and Drug Administration)
• Is there any danger from sulfites in wine? (The Straight Dope)
• Sulfite Allergy (about.com)
• Using sulfites in homemade wine
• Blog post analyzing the impact of sulfite regulations on wineries and consumers from Tablas Creek Vineyard