Additives/SO2: Commission opens targeted stakeholder consultation on draft SO2 levels

The European Commission has contacted FRUCOM to participate in a targeted stakeholder consultation regarding draft legal proposal regarding the authorised uses and use levels for E 220-228, as well as the specifications for E 220-228. This concerns sulphur dioxide - sulphites (SO2). This proposal follows EFSA's conclusions on its dietary exposure assessment, published late 2025.

In its draft proposal, the Commission includes some MLs which are lower than those previously assessed by EFSA. Please find all the proposed changes to sulphur dioxide MLs for FRUCOM products below.

Dried fruit:

• only dried coconut - 50.
• only dried fruit excluding dried mango, pineapple, apples, pears, bananas, apricots, peaches, white grapes, prunes and figs - 150 (from 500).
• only dried mango and pineapple - 300.
• only dried apples and pears - 300 (from 600).
• only dried bananas - 300 (from 1000).
• only dried apricots - 1000 (from 2000).
• only dried peaches - 300 (from 2000).
• only dried white grapes (only golden raisins) - 800 (from 2000).
• The entry for "nuts in shell" is deleted.

Dried, processed fruit and vegetables:

• only white vegetables, including pulses and processed mushrooms.
• only dried ginger - 150.
• only dried tomatoes - 150 (from 200).
• only white vegetables, dried, excluding mushrooms and white pulses - 200 (from 400).

Fishery products:

• only fresh, frozen and deep-frozen crustaceans and cephalopods - 100 (from 150).
• only crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family and the Palaemoninae subfamily - 200 (from 300).
• only cooked crustaceans and cephalopods - 100 (from 50).
• only cooked crustaceans of the Penaeidae, Solenoceridae and Aristaeidae family and the Palaemoninae subfamily - 200 (from 135).
• only dried salted fish of the ‘Gadidae’ species - 10 (from 200).

Others:

• only jams, jellies and marmalades made with sulphited fruit - 100.

The document further underlines that (EFSA) "the Authority did not identify an immediate health concern linked to the conditions of use of sulphur dioxide – sulphites (E 220-228)". As a transition period, the Commission indicates that products placed in the market 6 months after the entry into force of the Regulation may continue to be marketed until their date of minimum durability or ‘use-by’ date.

Please find the draft proposal attached: Draft legal proposal conditions of use specifications E 220-228

Contact João Pereira at jpereira@frucom.eu.