Is Potassium Sorbate Bad For You?
Also Known As: the potassium salt of sorbic acid
Short answer
Potassium sorbate is a synthetically produced preservative that is in a multitude of foods and skin care products. There has been limited study on this preservative but it has been liked to cellular DNA damage, allergic reactions and migraines.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Potassium sorbate (E202) is the salt derivative of sorbic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid found naturally in the mountain ash tree berry, but now made synthetically. Breaking down into carbon dioxide and water once inside the body, potassium sorbate is listed on the “Generally Regarded As Safe list (GRAS list) by the FDA.
It is used as a preservative in a wide array of products, from skin and hair-care to a plethora of food and beverages. It has definitely become part of our processed food chain. Having anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, potassium sorbate is used to prevent the growth of harmful mold and bacteria in foods such as cheese, syrups, jams, yogurt, baked goods, oil dressings and dehydrated fruits. It is also found in wine, where it halts mold development after fermentation and prevents additional fermentation. Potassium sorbate is used frequently in processed and cured meats.
Potassium sorbate is usually present in small amount in our foods with the highest levels found in cheese. Because of the small amounts used the debate stems from what is worse-the preservative or the possibility of contracting a bacterial or fungal infection.
Long term studies on potassium sorbate are lacking – however a 2002 study published in “Toxicity in Vitro” sites that when human blood cells were exposed to potassium sorbate they underwent mutation and damage to DNA. This causes for concern for this damage to develop into dysplasia and eventual higher malignancy risk.
Potassium sorbate can cause allergic reaction externally and internally. Because this preservative is used in cosmetic products individuals may experience acute skin inflammation with redness, itchiness and hives. Internal allergic reaction can occur within 1-2 hours manifesting with itchiness of the skin, abdominal pain and in severe cases throat swelling and difficulty breathing.
Potassium sorbate has been linked to migraines and is some cases can cause an elevation of potassium in the blood stream.
Eating organic and cooking nutritious healthy meals at home will help you avoid all of these preservatives that are present in so many of our foods. Our fast passed lives have made this very difficult so if you are eating processed preserved foods then moderation is obviously important.
Possible short-term side effects
- may irritate skin
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may irritate eyes
Possible long-term side effects
- may slightly increase risk of immune deficiency
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may slightly contribute to dna damage
Commonly found in
- wine
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cheese
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dried fruits
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skin products
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hair products
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yogurt
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processed and cured meats
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oil dressings
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baked goods
Benefits
- stops growth of pathogens
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Written by Dr. Becky Maes
Published on: 02-23-2018
Last updated: 11-28-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Dr. Becky Maes
Published on: 02-23-2018
Last updated: 11-28-2023
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