Why Is Our Dried Fruit Brown?

Sulfites are chemicals used as preservatives to slow browning and discoloration in foods and beverages during preparation, storage and distribution. It is most obviously seen in dried fruits. Sulfites can also be naturally occurring in foods, for example in wine vinegars.

A sulfite sensitivity is when the body reacts to consuming sulfites.  Sensitive people may have a similar reaction as those with a food allergy. The sulfites can trigger asthma and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, and people who have asthma may also have a sulfite sensitivity.

Do sulfites cause headaches and migraines?

It is not certain, and research is needed to understand the link between sulfites and migraines. If you think sulfites may be the cause of your migraines, take note of what you ate and drank before your migraine started.

What foods and drinks may have sulfites added or be naturally occurring?

Here is a list to be aware of, especially if you think you may be sensitive.

  • Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables

  • Fruit and vegetables juices

  • Fruit fillings and syrups, jams, jellies and other preserves

  • Dried fruits and vegetables, like apricots, coconut, raisins and mango

  • Cereal, cornmeal, cornstarch, crackers and muesli

  • Dehydrated, mashed, peeled and pre-cut potatoes, including French fries

  • Tomato pastes, pulps and purees

  • Condiments like horseradish, ketchup, mustard, pickles and relishes

  • Vinegar and wine vinegar

  • Bottled lemon and lime juices and concentrates

  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic wine, beer and cider

  • Baked goods, including granola bars (especially with dried fruits)

  • Deli meats, hot dogs and sausages

  • Dressings, gravies, sauces and soups

  • Noodle and rice mixes

  • Soy products

  • Gelatin or pectin

  • Medications and pharmaceuticals

Are sulfites listed in the ingredient list of packaged foods?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that the presence of sulfites be declared on food labels when used as an ingredient in the food and also when used as a processing aid or when present in an ingredient used in the food (e.g. dried fruit pieces). 

Sulfites are also prohibited from certain uses in the U.S. Sulfites may not be used in products such as meats that serve as a good source of vitamin B1 because sulfites can scavenge that vitamin from foods. In 1986, following the identification of numerous cases of sulfite-induced asthma occurring on ingestion of green or fruit salads treated with sulfites, FDA prohibited the use of sulfites on fruits and vegetables intended to be served raw or presented fresh to the public. The only exception is sulfite use on minimally processed potatoes sliced or shredded for frying where sulfite use is still permitted (although FDA has a long-standing, though never finalized, proposal to ban that use also). Sulfite use as a fungicide during the shipment of fresh table grapes is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the concentration of SO2 residues on the table grapes as consumed must be <10 ppm total SO2.

The labeling of the presence of sulfites on alcoholic beverages is under the jurisdiction of the Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the U.S. Dept. of Treasury. While most ingredients in alcoholic beverages are not declared on the container, the presence of sulfites must be declared. Sulfites are commonly used in wine fermentation to control undesirable growth of acid-producing bacteria while allowing alcohol-producing yeast to proliferate.

What are other names for sulfites?

Sulfites can have many other names, such as:

  • Potassium bisulphite

  • Potassium metabisulphite

  • Sodium bisulphite

  • Sodium dithionite

  • Sodium metabisulphite

  • Sodium sulphite

  • Sulphur dioxide

  • Sulphurous acid

  • Sulfiting or sulphating agents

In line with our ingredient standards, Love Whole Foods does not carry any products with added sulfites, hence you will find that our dried apricots are brown and are cranberries are not fluorescent red!

Peggy Van Cleef