The potassium salt of sorbic acid, used to inhibit mould and yeast growth. Its high water solubility makes it the preferred sorbate salt for most liquid and semi-liquid applications.

Physical state

Powder

Solubility

Freely soluble in water

Odour

Odourless or faint characteristic odour

Typical usage level

0.02-0.3% of finished product weight

Regulatory overview

EU and US regulatory context

EU Context

Regulation: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; purity criteria under Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
E-number: E202
Status: Authorised food additive
Key standard: Confirm current Ph. Eur. / FCC monograph specification with the supplier.

US Context

FDA status: GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
CFR reference: Pending. Confirm exact citation before publishing to a client-facing document.
Common declaration: Potassium Sorbate
Notes: Pending

Functions & applications

Antimicrobial preservative

Technical function	What it does
mould inhibition	Suppresses mould growth across the product shelf life.
yeast inhibition	Suppresses yeast growth across the product shelf life.

Recommended applications

Bakery

Antimicrobial preservative

Dairy

Antimicrobial preservative

Beverages

Antimicrobial preservative

Sauces & dressings

Antimicrobial preservative

Specifications

Technical specification

Appearance	White crystalline powder or granules
Colour	White crystalline powder or granules
Odour	Odourless or faint characteristic odour
Solubility	Freely soluble in water
Moisture	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Assay	Min. 99.0%
pH	Pending
Lead (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Arsenic (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Cadmium (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Mercury (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Total plate count	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Salmonella	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
E. coli	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Yeast & mould	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Packaging	25kg multiwall paper bags with PE liner, on ISPM-15 treated pallets
Shelf life	24 months from production date, unopened
Storage	Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Values marked "Pending" require confirmation against the current supplier CoA before being issued to a client.

Compliance

Legal & compliance notes

Allergen status: Does not contain any of the 14 major EU allergens.
GMO status: Produced synthetically; not applicable to GMO status.
Irradiation: Not irradiated.
Halal / Kosher: Typically available. Confirm certification with the specific supplier.

Critical QC checkpoints: Assay (min. 99%), Heavy metals, Aldehydes.

CN code (8-digit)	Pending
TARIC (10-digit)	Pending
EU import duty	Pending
Anti-dumping measure	None on file

Potassium Sorbate

EU and US regulatory context

Antimicrobial preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Preservatives

Potassium Sorbate

EU and US regulatory context

Antimicrobial preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Preservatives

Sorbic Acid

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Metabisulphite