What Is Potassium Sorbate?

Potassium Sorbate Granular is a white to off-white granular.

It is the potassium salt of sorbic acid,It is a white salt that is very soluble in water.

What It's Used For

Potassium Sorbate is used to inhibit molds and yeasts in many foods, such as  such as cheese, wine, yogurt, dried meat, apples, cider, soft drinks, fruit drinks, baked goods, and dried fruits.

The use of potassium sorbate increases the shelf life of foods, so many dietary supplements also include it. It is commonly used in wine production because it stops the yeast from continuing to ferment in the bottles.

Regulation and Levels

The Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Science in the Public Interest consider potassium sorbate to be generally recommended as safe. Defined as a food additive and preservative, Potassium Sorbate is often used in only very small levels in foods. According to APAC Chemical, the specific amount used varies based on the manufacturer, but cheeses have the highest typical use percentage -- between 0.2 and 0.3 -- while wine uses the least, between 0.02 percent and 0.04 percent.

Because Potassium Sorbate is so widely used as a preservative and anti-bacterial agent, it can be almost impossible to avoid, unless all of your food is made fresh at home. The Organics Institute recommends avoiding all processed or prepackaged foods, and when you are not able to, choose foods that contain natural preservatives, such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, vinegar, salt and sugar. Staying away from processed and cured or smoked meats will reduce your potassium sorbate consumption. In many cases, choosing organic products can be a simplified way of avoiding potassium sorbate and other food preservatives.