What E200 actually is
Sorbic acid is the preservative used where mould and yeast are the spoilage risk rather than bacteria. It works best in acidic products, and because it is only slightly soluble in water, manufacturers usually reach for its potassium salt instead. Where you see E200 rather than E202, the product is generally fatty or low-moisture.
What it is made from
Manufactured synthetically. It was first isolated from rowan berries, which is where the name comes from, but no commercial production extracts it from fruit.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Fully synthetic with no animal-derived input, so it suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets.
Is E200 safe?
Sorbates are among the better-regarded preservatives. The body metabolises sorbic acid the way it handles other fatty acids, breaking it down to carbon dioxide and water. EFSA re-evaluated the group in 2015 and set an acceptable daily intake of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day, a reduction from the previous figure following a review of genotoxicity data. It remains permitted throughout the EU, UK, and US.
- Metabolised as a fatty acid, to carbon dioxide and water
- EFSA reduced the acceptable daily intake to 3 mg per kg of body weight per day in 2015
- Occasional contact irritation, which is relevant to handling rather than eating
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2015. Group acceptable daily intake of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
- FDA (US)
- Generally recognized as safe.
Foods it turns up in
- Cheese and dairy products
- Baked goods and tortillas
- Dried fruit
- Wine and cider
- Dips and dressings
Names it hides behind
- E200
- Sorbic acid
- Preservative (E200)
- E202 potassium sorbate is the common salt form
Common questions
- What is the difference between E200 and E202?
- E200 is sorbic acid, the free acid. E202 is its potassium salt, which dissolves far better in water and is therefore used more often.
- Is sorbic acid natural?
- It occurs naturally in rowan berries, which is where the name comes from, but commercial production is synthetic.
- Is sorbic acid vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is manufactured chemically with no animal-derived input.
- Is sorbic acid safe?
- It is among the better-regarded preservatives, metabolised as a fatty acid. EFSA lowered the intake limit in 2015 after reviewing genotoxicity data but kept it permitted.
- Why is it only in acidic foods?
- Sorbates only become effective as preservatives below about pH 6.5, so in a neutral food they would not do the job.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.