Dried Fruits That Contain Sulfites
Sulfites are compounds sometimes used in food processing that slow down the process of spoilage and discoloration. Many food processors use sulfites in dried fruit in order to make their products retain their color, making them more appealing. However some people are allergic to sulfites and can have severe reactions to them. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Dried Fruit and Sulfites
-
Many varieties of dried fruit can contain sulfites, such as dried raisins, dried apricots and dried bananas. Dried fruit that contains sulfites tends to be moist and colorful, though its color is artificially maintained. Many consumers are more likely to buy products that are visually attractive than products that look old and colorless, so dried fruits that contain sulfites have a competitive edge over dried fruits that do not contain them, at least for consumers who make purchasing decisions based on appearance.
Dried Fruit Without Sulfites
-
Dried fruit without sulfites tend to have considerably less color than dried fruits that do contain sulfites. Moisture promotes the growth of bacteria and sulfites inhibit the growth of bacteria, so dried fruit that does not contain sulfites tends to be drier as well, because the lack of moisture helps the product to last longer. Dried fruit without sulfites appeals to consumers who are allergic to sulfites as well as individuals who prefer food without preservatives, even if it is less attractive.
-
Sulfite Allergies
-
According to Paul Grotheer, Maurice Marshall and Amy Simonne's article "Sulfites, Separating Fact From Fiction," allergic reactions to sulfites range from mild to extremely severe and even life threatening, although the majority of reactions are mild. Symptoms include dermatological, respiratory and gastrointestinal difficulties. Roughly 1 percent of the population is allergic to sulfites, although 5 percent of people who suffer from asthma are also allergic to sulfites.
Regulation
-
The FDA does not prohibit the use of sulfites in dried fruit because sulfites tend to cause fewer health problems than some other preservatives, at least for people who are not allergic to them. The agency does, however, require that companies that use sulfites in their dried fruit to label accordingly so individuals who are allergic or simply avoiding preservatives can make informed choices. The FDA and state agriculture departments have issued recalls on improperly labeled dried fruits containing sulfites, such as the New York State agriculture department's recall of Agro Sun Dried Fruits and Nuts Tropical Mix in October 2009.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
