Preservative E202 - Potassium Sorbate Health, Environmental and Social effects

Chemical additive widely used as a preservative in foods, drinks, and personal care products

Health:

• Synthetically mass produced preservative used to keep foods from becoming mouldy

• Can be a skin and eye irritant but rare

• Can be a skin and eye irritant but rare

• 2 interesting case studies show Potassium Sorbate messes with our DNA.

• One study, it was concluded that it is enotoxic to our white blood cells

• Another study concluded that E202 mixed with Vitamin C, causes mutagenicity and DNA-damaging activity.

• While the risk is low, there is a statistic significance with these cases.

Environmental:

• Pollutants are released into the environment that are needed to mass produce preservative

• Bioaccumulation is occurring where aquatic animals and plants in our ecosystem are ingesting chemicals involved in the production of preservatives that in large quantities can affect them and due to the natural food chain, continue to spread to other animals

• Mass production means lots of carbon emissions are being emitted to make preservative

• Potassium Sorbate prolongs shelf life of foods and cosmetics. It is used in the majority of foods and cosmetics, therefore has invaded consumerism, making it harder to find products without it.

Social:

• They allow access to more personal care and cosmetic products and food which you can keep longer. For example, manufacturers of milk extracted products such as yogurt and cheese, are widely using this chemical to extend its shelf life. This causes us to get used to longer lasting foods and products, and surprises consumers when organic products do not

• Increasing demand of processed food is one of the major driver behind the rising demand of potassium sorbate in global market. As consumers we are accepting and welcoming these preservatives such as E202 by driving demand.

• It is recognised safe by FDA and EFSA, leading consumers to believe there are no risks involved. However, babies and pregnant women should avoid foods with Potassium Sorbate with a higher risk of any allergy or side effects.