Comparing E200 - Sorbic acid vs E221 - Sodium sulphite
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 6,918 products
Found in 595 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is sorbic acid bad for you?
Not for most people—it's a widely approved food preservative with low toxicity at permitted levels; rare individuals may experience mild irritation or digestive upset with high exposure.
Is sorbic acid safe for dogs?
Yes, when used at regulated amounts as a preservative in dog foods it’s considered safe; excessive intake may cause stomach upset in sensitive dogs.
Is sorbic acid safe?
Yes—it's approved in the EU (E200) and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the U.S. at typical food-use levels, with adverse effects uncommon at those amounts.
What is sorbic acid made from?
Commercially it’s synthesized from crotonaldehyde and ketene; it also occurs naturally in small amounts in rowan (mountain ash) berries.
Is sorbic acid natural?
It occurs naturally in some fruits, but the sorbic acid used in foods is almost always synthetically produced and is chemically identical to the natural compound.
What is the formula for sodium sulfite?
Na2SO3; it’s also commonly available as the heptahydrate Na2SO3·7H2O.
What is the chemical formula for sodium sulfite?
Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite), sometimes encountered as the heptahydrate Na2SO3·7H2O.
Is sodium phosphate a sulfite?
No—sodium phosphate contains the phosphate anion (PO4^3-), not the sulfite anion (SO3^2-).
What is sodium sulfite used for?
It’s an antioxidant/preservative that prevents browning and oxidation and helps stabilize color and flavor in foods like dried fruits and potatoes; in wine it also helps control unwanted microbes.
"sodium sulfite as a preservative is not allowed on what foods"?
In the U.S., sulfiting agents like sodium sulfite are not allowed on fresh fruits and vegetables intended to be served or sold raw to consumers (e.g., salad bars, fresh-cut produce).