Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid (CH3CH=CH−CH=CH−CO2K) and is highly water-soluble. It’s widely used as a preservative to help inhibit molds and yeasts in foods.
While sorbic acid can occur naturally in some fruits, most industrial supply is produced synthetically.
Potassium sorbate helps inhibit the growth of molds and yeasts in foods, supporting freshness and extending shelf life.
Its high water solubility supports practical use across many food matrices and beverage applications.
It may also be used beyond food (e.g., personal care) for microbial control and shelf-life support.
It’s typically labeled as “Potassium sorbate” or “E202” in ingredient lists.
