Comparing E200 - Sorbic acid vs E285 - Sodium tetraborate (borax)
Overview
Synonyms
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Found in 6,918 products
Found in 13 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 6 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.
How to make slime without borax?
Mix 2 parts cornstarch with 1 part water (add a drop of food coloring) to make a simple borax-free “oobleck”; adjust ratios to change firmness. Other borate-free options include gelatin- or psyllium-fiber-based slimes.
Is borax toxic?
Yes—borax (sodium tetraborate) can irritate skin/eyes and is harmful if swallowed; chronic high exposure to boron compounds is linked to reproductive toxicity. It’s not permitted as a food additive in the EU or US, so keep it away from food and children.
What is borax used for?
It’s used in detergents/cleaners, laboratory buffers, flame retardants, metal fluxes, and as an insecticide; in food it was historically used as a preservative/firming agent but this use is largely banned.
Does borax kill ants?
Yes—when mixed into a sugar or protein bait, small amounts of borax are carried back to the colony and kill ants over time; place baits carefully and keep them away from children and pets.
How to make slime with borax?
Dissolve 1 teaspoon borax in 1 cup warm water; in another bowl mix 4 oz white glue with 1/2 cup water and coloring, then slowly add the borax solution while stirring until it gels and knead. Do not ingest, avoid contact with eyes, and wash hands after use (gloves if sensitive).