Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are concentrated whole foods with high fiber and natural sugar content. Many are sulfite-treated to preserve color and prevent browning, requiring labeling because sulfites can trigger allergic-type reactions, especially in asthmatics.
What it is
Fruits with most of their water removed by drying, often raisins, dates, apricots, figs, etc.
Sweet whole-food ingredient; concentrated source of fiber, sugars, and minerals.
Why it's flagged
- high natural sugar concentration
- sulfite preservatives in many products
- dental caries from sticky residue
What regulators actually say
"FDA requires the presence of sulfiting agents to be declared on labels of all foods that contain detectable amounts of 10 ppm or more."
"Sulfiting agents ... shall be declared on the label of any food in which it is used as an ingredient and which has 10 or more parts per million."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Whole food; sulfites must be declared when ≥10 ppm under 21 CFR 101.100.
European Union — EFSA
Whole food; sulfite labeling required under Regulation 1169/2011.
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