Sulfites labeling includes which of the following statements?

• A. Sulfite sensitivity seen more frequently in asthmatic people
• B. Sulfite sensitivity not a concern
• C. Contains sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people; prevalence unknown
• D. Contains sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people; the overall prevalence unknown and probably low; sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than nonasthmatic

Answer: (D)

Sulfite labeling is meant to warn that sulfites can trigger allergic-type reactions in certain people who are sulfite-sensitive, particularly those with asthma, and that while such reactions can be serious, the overall prevalence is unknown and probably low. This option is best because it includes all the essential points: the potential for severe reactions (including anaphylaxis or life-threatening or milder asthmatic episodes), the fact that prevalence is unknown and probably low, and the detail that sulfite sensitivity is more frequent in asthmatics than in nonasthmatics. The other statements are incomplete because they omit either the potential severity, the comparative prevalence between asthmatics and nonasthmatics, or the notion that prevalence is unknown but likely low.