What precautions should be taken when using potassium sorbate?

Potassium sorbate is widely recognized for extending the shelf life of food products by inhibiting the growth of fungi, mold, and yeast. This preservative, first discovered in the early 1950s by the French from mountain ash tree berries, has been extensively studied for its safety and applications over the last fifty years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies it as generally safe when used correctly.

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As a chemical additive, potassium sorbate serves as a preservative in a variety of products, including foods, beverages, and personal care items. It is a tasteless and odorless salt that is synthetically created from sorbic acid and potassium hydroxide.

This compound is also deemed safe for use in moist pet foods and certain animal feeds, solidifying its importance across various industries.

Potassium sorbate acts as an antimicrobial agent in personal care products, which include:

• Lotions
• Shampoos
• Makeup

When you check the ingredient lists of many everyday foods, you will likely spot potassium sorbate. Its popularity as a preservative stems from its efficacy, alongside its neutral impact on a product's qualities, such as taste, aroma, or appearance. Additionally, potassium sorbate is water-soluble and operates effectively at room temperature.

Major regulatory organizations, including the FDA, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have classified potassium sorbate as "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS). When consumed as a food additive, it is processed through your body and expelled as carbon dioxide and water, without accumulating within the system.

Research and Guidelines

For further information, please check potassium sorbate use. In various studies, including reviews conducted by EFSA, a temporary acceptable daily intake of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight has been established. This cautious stance stems from potential reproductive and developmental toxicity concerns identified in animal studies. Notably, rats exposed to 300 mg daily exhibited no adverse effects. For added safety, EFSA set a conservative benchmark that is 100 times lower than the initial readings.

The recommended maximum daily intake for humans is set at 25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. For instance, this translates to approximately 1,750 mg per day for a person weighing around 150 pounds.

Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate