[Sulfites in foods--a health risk?]

Abstract

This short review summarizes properties, applications and effects of sulfite in food products, including sulfite residues in foods produced according to legal regulations. Sulfite metabolism and toxicology in the mammalian organism as well as appearance of adverse reactions following ingestion of sulfite-treated food are discussed. Although knowledge in this area is still incomplete, the continued use of sulfite in food technology can be justified.