Potassium sorbate

Studies in people

• Open question

  Preservative levels in everyday foods³

  In one cake sample, potassium sorbate was above the limit, and its combined risk measure for several foods was above one.

• No harm found

  Preservatives in drinks⁴

  Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in soft drinks, energy drinks and juices stayed within limits, with no safety risk found for consumers.

Animal and lab studies only

• Concern

  Limits for food additives⁶

  Experts set a new daily limit for potassium sorbate after rat studies showed slower weight gain in young pups.

• Concern

  Blood cell DNA damage⁷

  In lab studies, potassium sorbate damaged DNA in human blood cells, but it is unclear if this happens in people.

• Concern

  Cell damage from additive mixes⁸

  In lab studies, potassium sorbate with aspartame damaged cell energy and DNA more than either alone.

• Concern

  Liver cell genes¹⁰

  In lab studies, potassium sorbate changed how liver cells switch certain genes on and off.

How it’s made and used

• Preservatives in a yogurt drink⁵

  Potassium sorbate levels in doogh stayed within international limits and below the daily intake considered acceptable.

• Mold growth on sausages⁹

  In lab studies, potassium sorbate slowed mold growth, but methyl p-hydroxybenzoate worked better on most molds tested.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.

Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.

• UN and WHO food additive experts (JECFA), 1973

  Acceptable daily intake: up to 25 mg per kg of body weight.