It usually occurs within minutes after consuming the additive. When this happens, blood vessels widen so much that blood pressure plummets. Symptoms include sweating, paleness, panting, nausea, rapid pulse, faintness, confusion and even passing out. Without speedy treatment, this intense allergic reaction can cause death. Symptoms include chest tightness, hives, stomach cramps, diarrhea, breathing problems and other symptoms of anaphylactic shock.
Experts suspect that the reactions are caused by a hyper-reaction to inhaled sulfur dioxide.
Some products sulfites can be found in wine, dried fruits, white grape juice, frozen potatoes, maraschino cherries, fresh shrimp, and certain jams and jellies. Sulfites at one time were used on fresh fruits and vegetables to retain color and freshness. The Food and Drug Administration, which governs the use of food additives, has banned them from such use. But these reactions have not been verified. People who have a problem breaking down the amino acid, phenylalanine, should not consume aspartame.