Potassium sorbate is a common preservative used to help prevent mold, yeast, and other microbes from growing in foods, beverages, and personal care products.
Potassium sorbate is a chemical additive. It’s widely used as a preservative in foods, drinks, and personal care products. It is an odorless and tasteless salt synthetically produced from sorbic acid and potassium hydroxide.
Potassium sorbate prolongs the shelf life of foods by stopping the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi. It was discovered in the 1850s by the French, who derived it from berries of the mountain ash tree. Its safety and uses as a preservative have been researched for the last fifty years.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes it as generally safe when used appropriately.
You’ll find potassium sorbate on the list of ingredients for many common foods. It’s a popular preservative because it’s effective and doesn’t alter the product’s taste, smell, or appearance. It’s also water-soluble, and it works at room temperature.
You may find it added to many food products, such as:
- apple cider
- baked goods
- canned fruits and vegetables
- cheeses
- dried meats
- dried fruit
- ice cream
- pickles
- soft drinks and juices
- wine
- yogurt
Potassium sorbate is used as an antimicrobial and preservative in personal care items, as well, such as:
- eyeshadow and other cosmetics
- shampoos and moisturizers
- contact lens solution
Potassium sorbate is also approved for safe use as a preservative in moist cat and dog foods and in other animal feed.
Potassium sorbate is generally considered safe when it’s used in foods at approved amounts. Researchers have studied how much people can consume regularly without it posing a known health risk.
What does the research say?
In a
An acceptable daily intake is the amount of a substance that experts estimate a person can consume every day over a lifetime without an expected health risk. For someone who weighs 150 pounds, the EFSA limit is equal to about 750 mg per day.
Researchers set this limit well below the amounts associated with harmful effects in animal studies to provide an extra margin of safety.
Some
For most people, potassium sorbate is considered safe when consumed in the amounts typically used in foods. Reactions to food additives are uncommon, although some people may have hypersensitivity reactions to certain additives.
Potassium sorbate can also cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in some people when it is used in products that come into direct contact with the skin.
However, research suggests that potassium sorbate and the closely related preservative sorbic acid are rare causes of skin allergy.
Concentrated potassium sorbate, such as the powder used in food or winemaking, may also irritate the skin or eyes. Follow the product’s handling instructions and avoid getting it in your eyes or directly on your skin.
For most people, there is no need to avoid foods simply because they contain potassium sorbate. The FDA permits potassium sorbate for use in foods, and safety reviews have established limits for how much can be consumed regularly without an expected health risk.
If you notice symptoms that repeatedly occur after eating or using a product containing potassium sorbate, talk with a healthcare professional.
Because many ingredients can cause similar symptoms, it can be difficult to determine the cause on your own. A healthcare professional or allergist can help identify whether potassium sorbate or another ingredient may be responsible.
Potassium sorbate is a preservative commonly added to foods and other products to help prevent mold and yeast growth.
It is generally considered safe when used in approved amounts, and reactions are uncommon, though some people may experience skin irritation or sensitivity.
If you notice symptoms after eating or using products that contain potassium sorbate, consider talking with a healthcare professional.