Preservative · CAS 24634-61-5 · EU E202
Potassium Sorbate
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Potassium Sorbate is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 5 out of 5 (Generally Safe), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #13 of 417.
- #13 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Potassium Sorbate is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #13 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (97th percentile).
- 5/5
- Generally Safe
- GRAS
- FDA status
- #13 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Potassium Sorbate: 3,059 tracked U.S. products (common band, #13 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 3,059 · #13 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E202 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 24634-61-5 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 5 / 5 (Generally Safe) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | 3 | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Potassium Sorbate?
Widely used preservative effective against molds and yeasts.
Health Concerns
- Generally considered one of the safest preservatives.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (3,059 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 3,059
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Potassium Sorbate safe to consume?
Potassium Sorbate scores 5/5 (Generally Safe). FDA status is GRAS. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (3,059 tracked products, #13 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Potassium Sorbate used for in food?
Potassium Sorbate shows up as Wine, cheese, baked goods, dried fruits in the Preservative class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (3,059 products).
Where does Potassium Sorbate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #13 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Potassium Sorbate?
The FDA classifies Potassium Sorbate as "GRAS" while the EU status is "Approved" (E202). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.
What health concerns are associated with Potassium Sorbate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Potassium Sorbate: Generally considered one of the safest preservatives.. These findings inform its safety score of 5/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.