Background:
Sulphites added as preservatives in food have been associated with adverse
health effects in humans.
Objective:
The present study was designed with an objective of assessing the risk of sulphite exposure
through food in adolescents (12-16 years old) of Delhi, India.
Methods:
A total of 1030 adolescents selected from four private and four government schools of
Delhi, were asked to record their food intake using a 24 hour food record, repeated on three days, for
assessing exposure to sulphites. The risk was assessed using six different scenarios of exposure.
Results:
The actual intake for sulphites for average consumers was 0.15 ± 0.13 mg / kg b.w. / day
which was 21.4% of acceptable daily intake (ADI). For high consumers (P95), it was 65% of the ADI.
However, for 2 respondents, the actual intake exceeded the ADI. The major food contributors to sulphite
intake were beverage concentrates (46%), ready to serve beverages (22%) followed by miscellaneous
food items (16%), mainly ice creams and snowballs. Estimation of sulphite intake using different
exposure scenarios revealed that for certain scenarios where the highest reported sulphite level
or maximum permissible levels were considered for calculation, the high consumers exceeded the
ADI, though, for average consumers, intake was well below the ADI.
Conclusion:
Actual intake of sulphite for average consumers was well below the ADI but for high
consumers was approaching the ADI. People with sulphite sensitivity need to be aware of hidden
food sources of sulphites.
Contribution of plant food bioactives in promoting health effects of plant foods: why look at interindividual variability?
