Comparing E101 - Riboflavin vs E222 - Sodium bisulphite

Overview

E101 - Riboflavin

Riboflavin (E101) is a yellow food color that also happens to be vitamin B2. It adds a warm yellow tint to foods and drinks, and it is widely used for both coloring and vitamin fortification. It occurs naturally in many foods and has a long record of safe use in the U.S. and EU.

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E222 - Sodium bisulphite

Sodium bisulphite (E222) is a sulfiting agent used as a preservative and antioxidant to keep foods and drinks stable and fresh. It helps slow browning and oxidation in products like wine, dried fruit, and some seafood, but a small number of people are sensitive to sulfites, especially some with asthma. It is also spelled sodium bisulfite; both names refer to the same ingredient.

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Synonyms
E101
Riboflavin
Vitamin B2
Flavaxin
Vitamin B 2
Vitamin G
Riboflavine
Lactoflavine
Lactoflavin
E222
Sodium bisulphite
Sodium bisulfite
Functions
colour
antioxidantpreservative
Origins
Microbiological
Synthetic
Synthetic
Products

Found in 555 products

Found in 1,804 products

Search rank & volume
#2391.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#2024K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×23.83
over-aware

×0.33
under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 9 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. What does riboflavin do?

    In the body, riboflavin (vitamin B2) helps enzymes produce energy (as FMN and FAD) and supports normal skin and vision. In foods, E101 is used as a yellow color and to fortify products with B2.

  2. What does vitamin b2 do?

    Vitamin B2 serves as the coenzymes FMN and FAD in energy metabolism and redox reactions. As E101 in foods, it also functions as a yellow colorant and nutrient fortifier.

  3. What is vitamin b2 good for?

    It supports energy release from food and helps maintain healthy skin, mouth, and vision. In foods, E101 is used to add yellow color and to enrich products with vitamin B2.

  4. What is riboflavin good for?

    Riboflavin is good for energy production and cellular respiration, helping keep skin and vision healthy. As an additive (E101), it provides yellow color and enables vitamin B2 fortification.

  5. What foods have riboflavin?

    Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese), eggs, meats (especially liver), fish, green vegetables (e.g., spinach, broccoli), mushrooms, almonds, and fortified breads and cereals.

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  1. Is sodium bisulfite bad for you?

    At approved food-use levels, sodium bisulfite (E222) is considered safe; regulators set a group ADI of 0–0.7 mg/kg body weight expressed as SO2. However, sulfite‑sensitive people—especially some asthmatics—may experience reactions like wheezing, hives, or headaches and should avoid it.

  2. What is sodium bisulfite used for?

    It’s an antioxidant and preservative that prevents browning and oxidation and helps control microbes, commonly used in products like wines, dried fruits, shrimp, and cut potatoes.

  3. What is sodium bisulfite in food?

    It’s a sulfiting agent (E222) that releases sulfur dioxide to protect color and flavor and extend shelf life; it must be declared on labels when present above about 10 ppm (as SO2).

  4. How much sodium bisulfite to neutralize chlorine?

    Approximately 1.5 mg of sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) is needed per 1 mg of free chlorine (as Cl2) per liter, stoichiometrically. In practice use a slight excess and confirm with a chlorine test; the reaction releases heat and SO2, so handle carefully.

  5. Is sodium bisulfite gluten free?

    Yes—sodium bisulfite is a synthetic mineral salt and contains no gluten; any gluten risk would come from other ingredients, not the additive itself.

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