An unsaturated fatty acid with antimicrobial activity against mould and yeast, used directly or as its potassium salt depending on the water activity and pH of the finished product.

Physical state

Powder

Solubility

Slightly soluble in water; the potassium salt (potassium sorbate) is more water-soluble

Odour

Faint characteristic odour

Typical usage level

0.02-0.2% 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: E200
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: Sorbic Acid
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

Cheese

Antimicrobial preservative

Bakery

Antimicrobial preservative

Wine

Antimicrobial preservative

Confectionery

Antimicrobial preservative

Specifications

Technical specification

Appearance	White crystalline powder
Colour	White crystalline powder
Odour	Faint characteristic odour
Solubility	Slightly soluble in water; the potassium salt (potassium sorbate) is more water-soluble
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, Heavy metals, Aldehydes.

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

Sorbic Acid

EU and US regulatory context

Antimicrobial preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Preservatives

Sorbic Acid

EU and US regulatory context

Antimicrobial preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Preservatives

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Metabisulphite