preservative INS 202

Potassium Sorbate E202

organic acid salt — Primarily synthetic.

🇪🇺 EU: Approved

🇺🇸 USA: Approved

🇯🇵 Japan: Approved

🇦🇺 AU/NZ: Approved

🇨🇦 Canada: Approved

Scientific Name

Potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate

CAS: 24634-61-5

Data verified: 2026-04-04

Factual Regulatory Reference

This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.

? Did You Know?

Potassium Sorbate occurs naturally in Rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia) and Sea buckthorn berries. Many people consume it daily without realizing it's also a listed food additive.

Beyond food, Potassium Sorbate is also used in cosmetics, medicine, household products. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.

To reach the Acceptable Daily Intake limit, a 60kg adult would need to consume approximately ~50 servings of cheese (30g at 1000mg/kg) in a single day. (This is a mathematical illustration, not a safety recommendation.)

Detailed Regulatory Assessment

🇪🇺

European Union (EFSA)

approved Max: varies by food category mg/kg

Maximum levels typically 200-2000 mg/kg depending on food type

Official EFSA Link

🇺🇸

United States (FDA)

approved GRAS

Recognized as Generally Recognized as Safe when used appropriately

🇯🇵

Japan (MHLW)

approved Cat: 指定添加物

Most widely used preservative in Japan; often preferred over sorbic acid due to better water solubility

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)

International Standard (JECFA)

0–25 mg/kg bw/day (group ADI for sorbic acid and sorbates, expressed as sorbic acid)

mg/kg body weight per day

European Standard (EFSA)

25 mg/kg bw/day (group ADI for sorbic acid and sorbates)

Everyday Perspective

For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:

~50 of servings of cheese (30g at 1000mg/kg)

~30mg per serving

~75 of glasses of wine (150ml treated with Campden tablets)

~20mg per serving

Natural Occurrence

The potassium salt of sorbic acid. Named after rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia) from which sorbic acid was first isolated in 1859. While natural sorbic acid exists in rowan berries at about 0.1%, virtually all commercial potassium sorbate is produced synthetically. Most widely used food preservative globally.

Rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia)Sea buckthorn berries

Manufacturing

Method: chemical synthesis

Produced by neutralizing synthetically manufactured sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate. Sorbic acid is synthesized through condensation of crotonaldehyde with ketene. Potassium salt is preferred over sodium salt due to better solubility and lack of genotoxic concerns.

Applications Beyond Food

Cosmetics

Widely used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products

Medical

Used in oral medications and topical preparations

Household

Wine-making, beer brewing, home canning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Potassium Sorbate (E202)?

Potassium Sorbate (E202) is a preservative used in food products. It is organic acid salt and synthetic. The potassium salt of sorbic acid. Named after rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia) from which sorbic acid was first isolated in 1859. While natural sorbic acid exists in rowan berries at about 0.1%, virtually all commercial potassium sorbate is produced synthetically. Most widely used food preservative globally.

Where is Potassium Sorbate found naturally?

Potassium Sorbate is naturally found in Rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia), Sea buckthorn berries. The potassium salt of sorbic acid. Named after rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia) from which sorbic acid was first isolated in 1859. While natural sorbic acid exists in rowan berries at about 0.1%, virtually all commercial potassium sorbate is produced synthetically. Most widely used food preservative globally.

What is the ADI for Potassium Sorbate?

The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for Potassium Sorbate is 0–25 mg/kg bw/day (group ADI for sorbic acid and sorbates, expressed as sorbic acid) as established by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). ADI represents the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.

What foods contain Potassium Sorbate?

Potassium Sorbate is used in various food categories including Flavoured drinks, Cheese, Semi-preserved fish products. It is used as a preservative in these products.