E202

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative in Wine, Cheese & Baked Goods

What is E202 (Potassium Sorbate)?

E202 is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, a preservative that prevents mold, yeast, and some bacteria from growing in food.

How it works:

• Inhibits enzyme systems in microorganisms
• Particularly effective against molds and yeasts
• Prevents fermentation and spoilage
• Works best in acidic foods (pH below 6.5)

Why it's used:

• Highly effective – prevents spoilage at low concentrations
• No taste impact – doesn't alter flavour
• Safe – metabolized into water and CO₂ by the body
• Versatile – works in many food types

Where is E202 Found?

Wine & Alcoholic Drinks:

• Wine (stops fermentation after bottling)
• Cider
• Beer (some varieties)

Cheese & Dairy:

• Cheese (prevents mold growth)
• Yogurt
• Margarine and butter alternatives

Baked Goods:

• Bread (prevents mold)
• Cakes and pastries
• Tortillas and wraps

Other Foods:

• Dried fruits (prevents mold)
• Jams and preserves
• Pickles and olives
• Soft drinks and fruit juices
• Sauces and dressings

Is E202 Safe?

Yes, potassium sorbate is very safe.

✅ Safety Profile:

• Metabolized quickly – body breaks it down like fatty acids
• Converted to water and CO₂ – no harmful byproducts
• No cancer risk – decades of research show no carcinogenic effects
• No allergic reactions – extremely rare
• Safer than alternatives – preferred over benzoates (E210-E213) which can form benzene

Side Effects (Very Rare):

At typical food levels, side effects are extremely rare. Some people report:

• Skin irritation (in cosmetics, not food – direct contact only)
• Mild allergic reactions (exceptionally rare – less than 0.01% of population)

No digestive issues, no asthma trigger, no hyperactivity link.

E202 vs. Other Preservatives

Safer Than Benzoates (E210-E213):

• Benzoates can form benzene when combined with vitamin C (carcinogenic)
• Potassium sorbate does not – no benzene risk

Safer Than Sulphites (E220-E228):

• Sulphites trigger asthma in 5-10% of asthmatics
• Potassium sorbate does not – no asthma risk

Safer Than Nitrites (E250-E252):

• Nitrites form carcinogenic nitrosamines
• Potassium sorbate does not – metabolized safely

Why Wine Uses E202

Potassium sorbate is added to sweet and semi-sweet wines to prevent re-fermentation after bottling:

• Residual sugar remains in sweet wines
• Yeast could restart fermentation in the bottle (creating pressure, cloudiness, off-flavours)
• E202 prevents this by inhibiting yeast activity

Not needed in dry wines – no residual sugar means no fermentation risk.

Regulatory Status

UK/EU: Approved with ADI of 25mg per kg body weight (very high safety margin)

US: FDA "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS)

Maximum allowed levels: 0.1-0.3% depending on food type (very low)

The Bottom Line

• ✅ One of the safest preservatives
• ✅ Metabolized into water and CO₂
• ✅ No cancer risk, no asthma trigger
• ✅ Safer than benzoates, sulphites, nitrites
• ✅ Found in wine, cheese, bread
• ✅ Extremely rare side effects

Last updated: February 2026