Detecting sulfite residue in Louisiana, United States of America and Bangladesh shrimp production

Samples of wild shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus and Farfantepenaeus aztecus) from Louisiana, USA and farmed Bangladesh shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Penaeus monodon, Macrobrachium villosimanus, and Macrobrachium malcomsonii) were screened for sulfite residue and compared to control shrimp treated with known amounts of sulfites. Sulfite residues of >10 ppm (detection limit) were observed in 17 to 33% of Louisiana shrimp and 10 to 20% of Bangladesh shrimp. However, not all treated control shrimp tested positive for sulfite residue. For Louisiana shrimp, 30 to 80% of replicate shrimp within a positive control sample tested >10 ppm. In Bangladesh, 20 to 40% of replicate shrimp within a positive control sample tested >10 ppm. This work indicated that sulfite use is still common, and anyone with a sulfite-triggered health issue should take caution in consuming shrimp from only trusted sulfite-free sources.