Safety evaluation of certain food additives - ipcs inchem

230 SULFITES: ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY EXPOSURE
samples occasionally exceeded the MLs. This was shown to occur for fruit
juice, dried fruit, potato-based snacks, mustard and fine bakery wares. Mean
concentrations that were greater than the national MLs were identified in some food
categories, suggesting either more frequent or more significant excesses. This was
the case for dried tomatoes and horseradish in Germany and for fruit fingers in
Australia. In Lebanon, the mean concentration of sulfites was in excess of the ML
in the current GSFA for biscuits and crackers. Some analytical data provided to the
Committee were related to the illegal use of sulfites in minced meat in Scotland
(Mackie, 2005) and Australia (Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2005).
Sulfites are not authorized for this use in the current national legislation of these
countries (although they were authorized in Scotland until 1977).
Prior to 1977, the regulations in force in Scotland allowed minced meat to
contain up to 450 mg sulfites/kg during the months of June, July, August and
September. The current regulations (United Kingdom Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food et al., 1995) do not permit the addition of sulfites to minced meat.
However, owing to the original dispensation, the non-permitted addition of sulfur
dioxide to minced meat has continued to be found to occur occasionally.
In Australia, the Food Standards Code does not permit the addition of
sulfites to minced meat. Of the 15 composite samples of minced meat analysed in
the 21st Australian Total Diet Study, sulfites were detected in four samples,
with concentrations ranging from