Potassium sorbate was first discovered by the French in the 1850s, having been derived from the mountain ash tree. It
is widely used in the food industry and few substances have had the kind of extensive, rigorous, long-term testing that sorbic acid and
its salts have had. It decomposes at about 270°C. For a detailed description of this compound, refer to Burdock (1997).
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Reported found in blueberries.
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potassium sorbate is a preservative primarily against mold and yeast, and used in concentrations of 0.025 to 0.2 percent. It is non-toxic but may cause mild skin irritation.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by
intraperitoneal route. Mildly toxic by
ingestion. Mutation data reported. When
heated to decomposition it emits toxic
fumes of K2O.
