- beauty
- cleaning
- food
- industrial
Potassium sorbate
CAS 24634-61-5 · 40/100 · High conf.
Also registered as 2 other CAS numbers
590-00-1 · 16577-94-9
Concern score
40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence
Potassium sorbate in plain language
Also known as Sorbic acid potassium salt · Potassium (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate · 2,4-HEXADIENOIC acid, (e,e')-, potassium salt · E-202 · Ins NO.202 · INS-202
Show all 23 names
Potassium (e,e')-sorbate · Potassium sorbate (e 202) · Potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate · Potassium salt sorbic acid · Sorbistat k · Sorbistat potassium · 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-, potassium salt · 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1), (2E,4E)- · 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt, (2E,4E)- · 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt, (2E,4E)- (1:1) · 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt, (E,E)- um salt · BB Powder · E 202 · E 202 (preservative) · Potassium (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoate · Potassium (E,E)-sorbate · sorbate potassium
Used in food as a preservative.
- Preservative
- Antioxidant
- Colourant
- pH adjuster
- Fragrance
- Flavouring
- Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record.
Why it's flagged
EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 424 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Food and drug, Personal care.
The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.
Regulation
No restrictions found. Potassium sorbate appears in these published regulatory listings.
- In marketed US drugs
- Inactive ingredient in US drugs
- Found in consumer products
- Beauty
- Cleaning
- Pharma
- Food
- Industrial
USFDAinactive ingredient database19 entries — 5 administration routes
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: PASTE; Maximum daily exposure: 48 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 19 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 1000 mg/15mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 400 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Potency: 2 mg/1mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 6 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, COATED; Potency: NASource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 0.2 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 0.2 mgSource →
- Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 6.67 %w/vSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Maximum daily exposure: 8 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: 0.25 %w/wSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Potency: 0.2 %w/wSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: GRANULE, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 80 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CONCENTRATE; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Potency: NASource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.47 %w/vSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: EMULSION; Potency: 0.47 %w/vSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY, METERED; Potency: 1.2 mg/1mlSource →
EUEFSAEFSA opinion5 entries
- Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives (EFSA FAF)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of potassium sorbate for dogs and cats (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of potassium sorbate as a silage additive for all animals except dogs and cats (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate when used as technological additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E 200), potassium sorbate (E 202) and calcium sorbate (E 203) as food additives (EFSA ANS)Source →
GLOBALJECFA0-25 mg/kg bwJECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-25 mg/kg bw. Functional class: preservative.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-25 mg/kg bw. Functional class: preservative.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 424 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Food and drug, Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Preservative, Biocide, Stabilizing agent.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 424 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Food and drug, Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Preservative, Biocide, Stabilizing agent.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 4 active drug products and 6 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 4 active drug products and 6 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
Expert safety opinions
Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-25 mg/kg bw. Functional class: preservative.
Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives (EFSA FAF)
2019 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of potassium sorbate for dogs and cats (EFSA FEEDAP)
2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of potassium sorbate as a silage additive for all animals except dogs and cats (EFSA FEEDAP)
2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate when used as technological additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
2014 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E 200), potassium sorbate (E 202) and calcium sorbate (E 203) as food additives (EFSA ANS)
2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Evidence & sources
No graded research studies for Potassium sorbate yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.
Where this comes from
- Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
- Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated september 20, 2107
- Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
- Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
- Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2029-08-02
- Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
- Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
- Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
- Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Reference links (1)
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Food use
Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.
The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.
Fragrance avoidance
Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.
The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.
Where it has been recorded
How often EPA CPDat has listed Potassium sorbate in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.
Source records
424
Named organisations
6
Laboratory suppliesFood and drugPersonal careRaw materialsCleaning products and household care
Typical roles
PreservativeAntioxidantColourantpH adjusterFragranceFlavouring
Found in these products
Their ingredient lists include Potassium sorbate; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.
- Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Black MascaraEssence · Makeup
- Fresa y nataTulipan Negro · Non Food Products
- Ultra douxL'Oréal, L'Oreal Consumer products, Garnier · Non Food Products
- Crème pour la peau ClassicCien · Body
- Botanical flowChamps de Provence
- ShampooDeliplus, Mercadona · Open Beauty Facts
- Crema reparadoraDeliplus · Open Beauty Facts
- Toallitas bebé frescas y perfumadasDeliplus · Accessories
- Agua de avenaDeliplus · Beverages
- Dentifrice expertMarque Repère, Bio Naïa · Hygiene
- Gel Douche Peche nectarineLe Petit Marseillais · Hygiene
- Gel lavant TopialyseSVR, Svr
- Dentifrice fraîcheurCarrefour, Soft Bio · Dents
- Ultra Compact Baby
- Loción corporal nutreDeliplus
- crema solar facialDeliplus
- Cloud foamClean beauty by alvira · Non Food Products
- Sébium gel mousseBioderma · Hygiene
- Sensitive expert + Spf 50+Garnier,Garnier ambre solaire · Suncare
- Déodorant Stick Homme Peau SensibleWilliams,Williams Expert,Unilever · Hygiene
- Shampoo naturalDeliplus, Mercadona
- Vaisselle mainsJacques Briochin
- le Petit Marseillais gel douche et ben gel douche et bain extra-doux orange bio et pamplemousse bioLe petit marseillais · Hygiene
- Crème mains à l’aloe vera bioCien Bio
Often appears with
Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Potassium sorbate in the catalog.