Shrimp Scampi dinner paired with a chilled glass or two of white wine may sound delicious but if you are part of the 1 in 100 with a sulfite intolerance, read on to learn why this may mean bad news for you.
What Do Sulfites Have to Do With Shrimp
Depending on the type of wine, the exposure to sulfites may be high with the wine alone. Pair it with shrimp and you have increased your parts per million dose (measurement of sulfites) exposure. One of the most common uses of sulfites is to prevent melanosis or ‘brown spots’. Shrimp and lobster are often treated with sulfites to prevent this process.
How Much Shrimp Means Too Many Sulfites
Sulfite sensitive suffers have thresholds that they tolerate of the preservative. Each individual has their threshold meaning different ppm that they can consume before feeling sick. I eat shrimp, but a serving may only consist of 4 – 5 shrimp every few weeks. Overall, the exposure for me is low. Someone who eats seafood, including shrimp frequently as is common in many parts of the country, may react more with chronic exposure.
True Shrimp Allergy
Shrimp or shellfish allergy is a common allergy If you are reacting to shrimp but not the other foods with sulfites, you may want to consider a shellfish allergy. To differentiate, keeping a symptom log can be helpful. Keep in mind, shellfish/shrimp allergies can be severe and get worse with time. It is important to see a doctor regarding your concerns. True shellfish/shrimp allergies can cause anaphylaxis which can be deadly. This type of reaction can require the need for an EpiPen other treatments as recommended by a physician.
Sulfites on Potatoes
Another food treated with sulfites to prevent melanosis is the potato. In 1987, the FDA banned the use of sulfites on fresh fruits and vegetables such as served on salad bars. Potatoes were included in this list but the ruling regarding potatoes was overturned in 1990. The potato industry won a court battle allowing them to add sulfites to unpackaged and unlabeled if intended to be cooked or served as such. Fortunately for me, the low glycemic diet followed by me for PCOS does not include a lot of potatoes. I might steal some fries from my kids or a few potatoes in a roast but overall, for me the exposure is low. A baked potato at a restaurant may be safe vs a potato that was peeled before being served.
Sulfites And Meat
Interestingly, sulfites were at one time used to prevent brown spots on meat. FDA prohibited this use because sulfites can alter the B vitamins in food. Meat is an important source of B vitamins and therefore the use of sulfites was altering the nutritional value of meat. This makes me wonder what the impact of sulfites on other foods may be.
Does This Mean I Should Never Eat Shrimp?
I love shrimp but I know too much will make me feel bad. I try to limit how much I eat at a time and keep the frequency to a minimum. If I do enjoy a plate of fried shrimp or shrimp Alfredo, I do not have any wine (even organic), try not to have any garlic bread (sulfites are used as a dough conditioner in some bread) and if I want dessert – I make sure it does not have any sulfites. In my head I tend to keep a running tally of the foods I eat, those that may have sulfites and whether or not some foods I’m not sure about make my nose itch (inhalants of sulfur dioxide is thought to be one mechanism of sensitivity to sulfites).
