OMA Protocol Review: OMAMAN-56 Sulfites in Shrimp

Sulfites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO 3 2- . Sulfites and sulfiting agents are widely used as additives in the food and pharmaceutical industries, thanks to their preservative, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1129/2011 of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 established a list of food additives and their limits in various matrixes including sulfites in seafood:

Unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans

E- number

Name

Maximum level (mg/l or mg/kg as appropriate)

Footnotes

Restrictions/exceptions

only fresh, frozen and deep-frozen crustaceans and cephalopods; crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family up to 80 units only crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family between 80 and 120 units only crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family over 120 units

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

150

(3) (10)

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

200

(3) (10)

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

300

(3) (10)

(3) Maximum levels are expressed as SO 2

relate to the total quantity, available from all sources, an SO 2

content of not more

than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/l is not considered to be present. (10): Maximum limits in edible parts.

Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans

E- number

Name

Maximum level (mg/l or mg/kg as appropriate)

Footnotes

Restrictions/exceptions

only Boiled crustaceans and cephalopods only Boiled crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family up to 80 units only Boiled crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family between 80 and 120 units only dried salted fish of the “Gadidae” species only Boiled crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family over 120 units

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

50

(3) (10)

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

135

(3) (10)

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

180

(3) (10)

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

200

(3) (10)

E 220-228 Sulphur dioxide — sulfites

270

(3) (10)

(3) Maximum levels are expressed as SO 2

relate to the total quantity, available from all sources, an SO 2

content of not more

than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/l is not considered to be present. (10): Maximum limits in edible parts.

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