Sulfites in wine are a mandatory allergen to declare according to EU legislation. Picture this: an inspector walks into your restaurant and asks to see your wine allergen documentation, only to find you've missed registering sulfites for half your list. You're now looking at fines and potential liability issues that could've been easily avoided.
What are sulfites and why are they important?
Sulfites (sulfur dioxide and sulfites) are preservatives found in almost all wines. They're on the list of 14 mandatory EU allergens that you must communicate to guests upon request.
⚠️ Note:
Sulfites must be declared if the concentration exceeds 10 mg per liter. This applies to virtually all wines, except some natural wines.
Which wines contain sulfites?
Nearly all commercial wines contain sulfites above the declaration threshold:
- Red wines: 50-150 mg/liter
- White wines: 100-200 mg/liter
- Rosé wines: 75-150 mg/liter
- Sparkling wines: 100-185 mg/liter
- Sweet wines: Up to 400 mg/liter
Only natural wines without added sulfites typically stay below 10 mg/liter.
💡 Example:
Your wine list contains:
- Chardonnay 2022: contains sulfites
- Pinot Noir 2021: contains sulfites
- Prosecco: contains sulfites
- Natural wine without added sulfites: no declaration needed
Result: 3 out of 4 wines require marking
How do you recognize sulfites on the label?
On wine bottles, sulfite information appears as:
- "Contains sulfites"
- "Contains sulphites" (English)
- "Contient des sulfites" (French)
- E220, E221, E222, E223, E224, E225, E226, E227, E228 (E-numbers)
Registration in your system
For each wine on your list, document:
- Wine name and vintage
- Sulfite status: yes/no
- Source information: where you verified it (label, supplier, importer)
- Check date: verification date
💡 Example registration:
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc 2023 - Domaine X
- Allergen: Sulfites (E220-E228)
- Source: Back of bottle label
- Checked: March 15, 2024
- Status: Active on wine list
Communication to guests
You're legally required to provide allergen information upon guest request. For sulfites in wine:
- On the wine list: Symbol or footnote "contains sulfites"
- Verbal information: Staff must know which wines contain sulfites
- Written info: Allergen list available upon request
⚠️ Note:
Wines by the glass must also be properly registered. If you change suppliers or vintages, verify the sulfite status again.
Digital registration vs. paper
Many restaurants rely on paper wine lists for allergens. But here's the problem: I've seen restaurants lose their entire allergen documentation during a simple wine list update - a mistake that costs the average restaurant EUR 200-400 per month in compliance issues and potential fines.
- Documents get lost during wine list changes
- Information becomes outdated with new deliveries
- Difficult to search when guests ask questions
Digital allergen registration (tools like KitchenNmbrs) makes it easier to:
- Quickly look up which wines contain sulfites
- Update changes instantly
- Print overviews for staff
- Maintain a history of checks
💡 Example workflow:
New wine delivery:
- Step 1: Check label for "contains sulfites"
- Step 2: Register in digital system
- Step 3: Update wine list with allergen symbol
- Step 4: Inform staff of change
Responsibility and risks
As a restaurant owner, you're responsible for accurate allergen information. With sulfites in wine, incorrect information can lead to:
- Health complaints: People with sulfite allergies can have serious reactions
- Legal liability: You can be held liable for damages from incorrect information
- Fines during inspections: NVWA can issue fines for missing registration
- Reputation damage: Negative reviews and word-of-mouth
A digital system helps with registering and retrieving information, but verification and entry remain your responsibility.
How do you register sulfites in wines? (step by step)
Check all wine bottles
Go through your entire wine inventory and check the label on each bottle. Look for 'contains sulfites', 'contains sulphites' or E-numbers E220-E228. Make a list of all wines with their sulfite status.
Register allergen information per wine
Record for each wine: name, vintage, supplier, sulfite status and check date. Use a digital system or spreadsheet to keep this organized and easily searchable.
Update wine list and train staff
Add symbols or footnotes to your wine list for wines containing sulfites. Make sure all your staff know which wines contain sulfites and where they can find this information when guests ask.
✨ Pro tip
Photograph every wine label within 24 hours of delivery and store these images digitally with your allergen records. This creates a permanent backup of your sulfite verification and protects you during inspections.
Calculate this yourself?
In the KitchenNmbrs app you can do this in just a few clicks. 7 days free, no credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
What if a guest asks about sulfite-free wines?
Offer natural wines without added sulfites. Note: these can also contain natural sulfites, but usually below the 10 mg/liter declaration threshold. Always verify with your supplier if you're unsure.
Do I also need to register wines by the glass?
Yes, all wines you serve fall under allergen legislation. Wines by the glass must also be correctly registered with their sulfite information.
How often should I update my sulfite registration?
With each new wine delivery, change of supplier or vintage. Also regularly check whether wines on your list still match your inventory. I recommend monthly reviews to catch any discrepancies.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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