LIFE OR DEATH: Sulphite Allergy or Sulphur Sensitivity My Recent Life Threatening Experience

As far as I can tell, in South Africa, It is not legally required for any food manufacturers / restaurants to declare Sulphur presence in their foods :( 

Sulphites are substances that are naturally found in some foods.  They are used as an additive to maintain food colour, shelf-life and prevent the growth of fungi or bacteria. Sulphites are also used in food packaging like cellophane.

This link will take you to a comprehensive list of FOODS WHICH MAY CONTAIN SULPHITES

This is what happened to me in the last two weeks: 

When someone comes in contact with an allergen, the symptoms of a reaction may develop quickly and rapidly progress from mild to severe. The most severe form of an allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms can include breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure or shock, which may result in loss of consciousness and even death. 

A person experiencing an allergic reaction may have any of the following symptoms:

Flushed face, 

hives or a rash, 

red and itchy skin

Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, 

Throat and tongue

Trouble breathing, 

speaking or swallowing

Anxiety, 

Distress, 

Faintness, 

Paleness,

Sense of doom, 

Weakness

Cramps, 

Diarrhea, 

Vomiting

A drop in blood pressure, 

Rapid heartbeat,

Loss of consciousness

I also personally experience:

Pain in all joints: leg, arm, skull intense pain.

Spinal stiffness and pain - (Schedule 5 Pain relief did not help)

Stiff neck - lessened mobility.

Pelvic stiffness and immobility.

Shaking of the hands. 

Migraine behind the eyes.

Hallucinations - very scary images.

Pain in all internal organs. 

Open sores in the mouth and on the tongue.

Swelling in the ear canals - like bad infection.

Asthma - tight chest.

IBS - twisting of the intestines, trapping gas.

Food and products that often contain sulphites

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer and cider

Bottled lemon and lime juices and concentrates

Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables

Cereal, cornmeal, cornstarch, crackers and muesli

Condiments, for example, coleslaw, horseradish, ketchup, mustard, pickles, relish and sauerkraut

Dehydrated, mashed, peeled and pre-cut potatoes, and frozen french fries

Dried fruits and vegetables, such as apricots, coconut and raisins, sweet potato

Dried herbs, spices and teas

Fresh grapes

Fruit fillings and syrups, gelatin, jams, jellies, preserves, marmalade, molasses and pectin

Fruit and vegetable juices

Glazed and glacéed fruits, for example, maraschino cherries

Starches, (for example, corn starch, potato starch)

Sugar syrups, for example, glucose, glucose solids, syrup dextrose, corn syrup, table syrup

Tomato pastes, pulps and purees

Vinegar and wine vinegar

Wine

Always look out for the following: 

Sulfuric acid 

Sulfur dioxide 

Sulfiting agents 

Sodium dithionite 

Sodium metabisulfite 

Sodium sulfite 

Sodium bisulfite  

Potassium metabisulfite

sulfur dioxide 

E 220, E 221, E 222, E 223, E 224, E 225, E 226 , E 227, E 228 (European names)

This is a link to a ​

 Sulphite Safe and Not Safe Foods.pdf

​PDF of Foods that are Sulphite Safe, and foods that May Contain Sulphites. 

Let me know if you also suffer with Sulphite Sensitivity - find me on Facebook or get my contact details on my website. 

Image from ubfreewine.com