Benzoates and Sulphites are common triggers for asthma. They are widely used in the UK as preservatives in food. The following list is compiled from the Mutual Benefit Marketing Health Guide

  • E210 Benzoic acid
  • E211 Sodium benzoate
  • E212 Potassium benzoate
  • E213 Calcium benzoate
  • E214 Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • E215 Sodium ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • E216 Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • E217 Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • E218 Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
  • E219 Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
  • E220 Sulphur dioxide
  • E221 Sodium sulphite
  • E222 Sodium hydrogen sulphite
  • E223 Sodium metabisulphite
  • E224 Potassium metabisulphite
  • E225 Potassium sulphite
  • E226 Calcium sulphite
  • E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite
  • E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite
  • E441 Gelatine
  • E539 Sodium thiosulphate (converts to sulphite and has similar side-effects)

It may seem a little strange that Gelatine is on that list as it is usually listed as an ingredient rather than an additive. However if you are sensitive to sulphites then you should be wary of eating anything with Gelatine in it as it can contain E220 (Sulphur Dixoide)

Other additives which can trigger asthma or cause breathing difficulties include

Colourings

  • E102 Tartrazine
  • E104 Quinoline Yellow
  • E107 Yellow
  • E120 Cochineal (also carminic acid,  ammonium carmine)
  • E122 Azorubine, Carmoisine
  • E124 Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R
  • E128 Red 2G
  • E129 Allura red AC
  • E132 Indigotine, Indigo carmine
  • E133 Brilliant blue FCF
  • E142 Green S
  • E151 Brilliant Black BN, Black PN
  • E155 (Chocolate) Brown HT
  • E160(b) Annatto, bixin, norbixin
  • E180 Lithol Rubine BK, Pigment Rubine

Other Additives
  • E413 Tragacanth
  • E414 Acacia Gum, Gum Arabic
  • E536 Potassium ferrocyanide
  • E621Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)
  • E623 Calcium di-L-glutamate
  • E626 Guanylic acid
  • E627 Disodium guanylate
  • E628 Dipotassium guanylate, 5'-
  • E629 Calcium guanylate
  • E630 Inosinic acid
  • E631 Disodium inosinate
  • E632 Dipotassium inosinate
  • E633 Calcium inosinate
  • E634 Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides
  • E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotide, Sodium 5'-ribonucleotide
  • E928 Benzoyl peroxide
  • E930 Calcium peroxide

This is the list I manually extracted from hundreds of items.  It is more than likely I have missed something, but at least it's a start!