Sodium Metabisulfite
The question

Is Sodium Metabisulfite safe in wine?

CautionWine

A widely used sulfite preservative/antioxidant in wine, dried fruit and seafood (it releases SO2 in water). Safe for most people but a common trigger for sulfite-sensitive and asthmatic individuals; FDA requires labeling at 10 ppm or more.

What the research flags

  • Sodium metabisulfite releases sulfur dioxide and behaves as a sulfiting agent, so it can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals — especially asthmatics (about 3-10% react) — from dermatitis, flushing, hypotension, abdominal pain and diarrhea to rare life-threatening asthmatic and anaphylactic reactions (Vally & Misso; Vally et al.)
  • FDA requires sulfiting agents present at 10 ppm or more in a finished food to be declared on the label (21 CFR 101.100) and prohibits sulfites on fruits and vegetables sold or served raw
  • EFSA's 2016 group re-evaluation set only a temporary ADI of 0.7 mg SO2 equivalents/kg body weight per day; EFSA withdrew this temporary ADI in 2022, finding the toxicity database inadequate to establish a safe intake

Regulatory
IARC Class: NL

Other wine ingredients on file

Sources & references

  1. [1]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 24834193
  2. [2]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 19775253
  3. [3]
    RegulatoryInternational regulator — efsa.europa.eu · ref 4438
  4. [4]
    RegulatoryGovernment agency — section-101.100

Research disclaimer: Ratings reflect peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments available at the time of publication, not the dose or formulation of any specific wine product. This is not medical advice.