Potassium Sorbate - Toxicology

Toxicology

Potassium sorbate is a skin, eye and respiratory irritant, although some research implies it has a long term safety record and non-toxic profile.

Potassium sorbate exhibits low toxicity with LD₅₀ (rat, oral) of 4.92 g/kg, similar to that of table salt. Typical usage rates of potassium sorbate are 0.025% to 0.1% (see sorbic acid), which in a 100 g serving yields intake of 25 mg to 100 mg. Acceptable daily intakes for human is 12.5 mg/kg, or 875 mg daily for an average adult (70 kg), according to FAO/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.