Potassium sorbate

What this is

Potassium sorbate is a common food additive used to prevent mold and yeast growth in products like cheeses, baked goods, fruit drinks, and other processed foods. It is the potassium salt of sorbic acid (also known by the code E202) and has been used for decades as a preservative. Food safety authorities generally recognize potassium sorbate as safe at the small amounts added to foods. In pure form it can be an eye or skin irritant, but the levels in foods are far too low to cause such effects in most consumers. No consistent health problems have been linked to the low doses used in fast food, though scientists continue to monitor its safety in combination with other ingredients.

Critical Endpoints

The key endpoints experts review in safety assessments (critical endpoints). This is not a prediction of harm.