Sorbates are sorbic acid and its salts. The family includes E200 sorbic acid, E202 potassium sorbate and E203 calcium sorbate in the NutraSafe library. Their shared purpose is mainly to slow mould and yeast growth.
E200 · E202 · E203
3 linked additive entriesSorbates are sorbic acid and its salts. The family includes E200 sorbic acid, E202 potassium sorbate and E203 calcium sorbate in the NutraSafe library. Their shared purpose is mainly to slow mould and yeast growth.
The salt form affects handling and solubility, while sorbic acid is the active preservative form in an acidic food environment. A family page helps decode the names; it does not mean every member is authorised for every product or used at the same level.
Potassium sorbate dissolves readily in water, making it convenient in drinks and water-rich foods. Once in the right acidic conditions it supplies sorbic acid, which interferes with microbial growth. That explains why “potassium sorbate” is often more visible on labels than the parent acid.
Cream cheese, yoghurt, drinks, cakes, dried fruit, dips and dressings are common examples across the family’s published entries. Whether a current product contains a sorbate depends on its recipe, acidity, packaging and shelf-life design. The pack remains the final source.
E200, E202 and E203 belong together chemically but are not identical label terms. Search both the E-number and the additive name. This also prevents “preservative E202” searches from being answered with a generic verdict about every preservative.
3 entries, linked to the full evidence page
What it is: A preservative first found in rowan berries, now made in a factory. It stops mould and yeast growing.
What it does: It gets inside mould, yeast and bacteria cells. There it stops the reactions they use to make energy.
Where you may see it: Soft and processed cheese, wine, cider, dried fruit, baked goods, soft drinks, yoghurt and jams. Listed as sorbic acid or E200.
Read evidence and sourcesWhat it is: A white powder with almost no taste. Made in a factory from a substance found naturally in some berries.
What it does: It stops mould and yeast growing, so food and drink keep for longer without spoiling.
Where you may see it: Cream cheese, yogurt, wine and cider, squash and fizzy drinks. Also cakes, dried fruit, margarine, dips and dressings.
Read evidence and sourcesWhat it is: A mould preservative built from sorbic acid, first found in mountain-ash berries. Taken off the UK and EU list in 2018.
What it does: Stops mould and yeast growing by wrecking the way their cells breathe. That kept cheese and bread from spoiling.
Where you may see it: No longer permitted here. Before 2018 it went into cheese, fermented milk, rye bread, dried fruit, margarine and soft drinks.
Read evidence and sourcesThe table summarises fields from NutraSafe’s reviewed additive records. “Check” is deliberate: a code can identify the substance without revealing every feedstock, processing aid or certification decision.
| Code | Additive | Source note | Dietary source check |
|---|---|---|---|
| E200 | Sorbic acid | synthetic | Vegan: listed as suitable; Halal: check source/certification |
| E202 | Potassium sorbate | synthetic | Vegan: listed as suitable; Halal: check source/certification |
| E203 | Calcium sorbate | synthetic | Vegan: listed as suitable; Halal: check source/certification |
Jurisdiction note: Great Britain’s electronic register is the official public list for GB authorisations from 1 April 2025. Northern Ireland and EU positions can differ. Presence in NutraSafe’s reference library is not a claim of unrestricted current authorisation in every jurisdiction or food.
E202 is potassium sorbate, the potassium salt of sorbic acid.
They are members of the same family, but E200 is sorbic acid and E202 is potassium sorbate.
They are used particularly against moulds and yeasts; preservation still depends on the complete formulation and permitted conditions of use.
The family explanation uses current official UK regulatory and labelling material, relevant FSA or EFSA topic evidence, and specialist dietary guidance where stated. Additive-specific claims remain on the linked detail entries.
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