Sulphite’s Not Right

Joseph Carrera R.H.N.

www.triple3holisticnutrition.com

Here we go again with a topic that has many people perplexed. We see this additive or preservative on so many of our labels, and yet most of us aren’t really sure what Sulphites are, or what they're used for. Sadly, if you aren’t careful, you could be exposing yourself to a possible allergic reaction, and not even know why, or where it came from.

Sulphites are found in so many of our prepackaged foods and drinks. From bagged mixed nuts, to alcohol. If you’re a wine aficionado, then you are more than likely ingesting them, even if your wine is organic.

Sulphites are used mainly as antioxidants. They are used to prevent discolouration and stop bacterial growth. Ever wonder why wine can retain its beautiful, vibrant colour for so long? Have you ever tried making your own wine and notice you get a little package of white crystals to go along with the raw grape juice (not to mention a host of other additives)? Those are Sulphites.

I’m using wine as an example, but many of the foods we consume on a daily basis contain them. Foods ranging from dried fruits, bottled lemon juice, condiments, some vinegars, some pickled vegetables, etc. The list goes on and on. Even some medication you may be taking contain them for their antioxidant properties.

Some manufactures understand the importance of making sure you know their product contains no added Sulphites, so they’ve began adding “unsulfured” to their packaging. As a side note, Sulphites (from the root word Sulphur, a naturally occurring mineral) can be produced naturally in some foods in lower quantities. For the purpose of this article, we are focusing on Sulphites which are added too food.

Sulphites have been known to cause allergic reactions, ranging from stomach aches, trouble breathing, to hives. If you have asthma, this is something you should be aware of, especially if eating somewhere, or something you normally don't. In some, the reaction may be severe, in others, very mild. Some may not even realize they are experiencing a reaction when consuming certain foods. Pay close attention, maybe you’re one of those people.

Be on the lookout, because Sulphites can be labelled in many different ways, such as Potassium Bisulphite, Potassium metabisulphite, Sodium Bisulphite, Sodium dithionite, Sulphur dioxide, Sulphiting agents, just to name a few. Not to mention what the Europeans label them as; E 221, E 222, E 223, E 224, E 225, E 226, E 227, E 228.

Isn’t it always a treat when your food contains more than just food? I mean, what happened to the days when food was just food. Remember when broccoli was broccoli, and chicken was chicken, and your food label didn’t include a series of numbers and letters that resembles a digital download code?

Seems like these days, you have to be part mad scientist, and part machine just to understand what is in your food. It’s more than clear, it is entirely up to us, the consumer, to pay attention to what we are buying.

Manufactures approach food very differently than you and I do. They make sure their “foods” survive on shelves long, and look good doing so.

They are looking at their bottom line to be healthy.

We are just striving to be healthy, bottom line!