E222 - Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite

Author: Karen Lennox Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

E 222 is a preservative, but also an antioxidant, whitens and stabilizes color. Represents white or yellowish crystals, sometimes in the form of granular powder with the smell of sulfur dioxide.

What is sodium hydro sulfite

Sodium hydrosulchite or E 222 is a preservative, but also an antioxidant that is used to whiten and stabilize color in foods. The additive is used as an antimicrobial synthetic food preservative. It is known as sodium hydrogen sulphite, sodium hydrogen sulphite or sodium bisulphite. In appearance it is white or yellowish crystals, and sometimes in the form of granular powder with the smell of sulfur dioxide. The preservative is not stable because it separates water and forms pyrosulfite. This food supplement dissolves well in water, is poorly soluble in ethanol and completely insoluble in oils and fats. It is obtained by the reaction of sulfur dioxide with sodium carbonate solution. Industrial sodium hydro sulphite is not explosive, but there is a risk of ignition on contact with water in the presence of oxygen in the air. As a result, sulfur is released, which is later ignited because the process is accompanied by the release of a lot of heat. The permissible daily dose of the preservative is 0.7 mg per 1 kg of body weight.

Properties and uses of E 222

Sodium hydrogen sulfite in the form of additive E 222 is used as a preservative, refrigerant, reducing agent, bleach, antioxidant in the manufacture of many products. E 222 is well used in winemaking: it helps to bind acetaldehyde, which stabilizes the color; contributes to obtaining the necessary oxidative and reducing potential, which increases the stability of wine at the microbiological level; prevents various bacterial changes in the wine; helps preserve the taste of the drink. The supplement also helps to slow down the "browning" of canned fruit. As with other salts of sulfuric acid, the oxidizing effect of the chemical has the disadvantage of reducing the vitamin content of the food that contains it.

Foods and beverages which may contain the additive E 222

dried, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables;
gelling fruit extracts;
liquid pectin, gelatin;
potato and mushroom products;
marmalades, marmalades, jam, whether or not containing sugar or other similar products;
candies and confectionery with a large amount of sugar;
soft drinks, beer, wine, cider, juices;
pickles;
spices based on lemon juice;
salted and dried fish;
sausages.

Effect of sodium hydro sulfite on the body

Preservative E 222 is dangerous because it can cause allergic reactions. It mainly affects asthma sufferers, because the release of sulfur dioxide can exacerbate the symptoms of the disease and cause an attack, as well as cause stomach irritation in some people. Destroys vitamin B1 in food. The supplement should be avoided by people who have an intolerance to natural sulfites.