
E202
E202 is a food additive approved by the European Union (EU) and used as an antifungal and antibacterial synthetic preservative in food and drink products.
E202 is also known by the common name potassium sorbate, and by the chemical name potassium (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate.
This preservative is made by reacting sorbic acid with potassium hydroxide. It is therefore the potassium salt of sorbic acid. It acts to inhibit moulds and yeasts in food and drinks such as cheese, dried meat, yogurt and wine. Our search to prepare this page didn't reveal any adverse effects reported due to use of E202.
Examples of food and drink products that sometimes include E202:
- salad dressings
- seafood dressings
- dessert sauces
- fermented milks
- frozen pizzas
- glacé cherries
- fruit salads
- jams
- preservatives