Comparing E202 - Potassium sorbate vs E284 - Boric acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 23,547 products
Found in 7 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 potassium sorbate bad for you?
Generally no; potassium sorbate (E202) is a low-toxicity preservative approved by major regulators, though high concentrations can irritate and rare sensitivities occur.
Is potassium sorbate safe?
Yes—it's considered safe at permitted food levels by authorities like FDA, EFSA, and JECFA; occasional mild sensitivities have been reported.
How much potassium sorbate per gallon of mead?
Typically about 0.6–1.0 g per US gallon (≈150–250 mg/L) to inhibit refermentation; add after fermentation is complete and alongside sulfite.
How much potassium sorbate per gallon of wine?
Commonly about 0.6–1.0 g per US gallon (≈150–250 mg/L); use with sulfite and check any local limits on sorbate levels.
Is potassium sorbate gluten free?
Yes—it's a synthetic preservative and contains no gluten, so it's suitable for people with celiac disease.
Is orthoboric acid the same as boric acid?
Yes—orthoboric acid (also called boracic acid) is the same compound as boric acid (H3BO3), designated as E284.
How does orthoboric acid poison work on insects?
It acts as a slow-acting stomach poison and desiccant: ingested boric acid disrupts the insect gut and enzyme function, and contact can damage the exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death.
How does orthoboric acid work?
As a food additive (E284), it functions as a preservative by inhibiting microbial growth in certain tightly restricted uses (e.g., caviar in some regions). Outside food, it serves as a mild antiseptic and a slow-acting insecticidal desiccant/stomach poison.
How long does orthoboric acid kill ants?
After ingesting bait, individual ants typically die within 24–48 hours; noticeable colony reduction often appears in 3–7 days, with full control taking 1–3 weeks depending on species and bait formulation.
How much orthoboric acid must be ingested to be harmful?
Acute harm generally requires gram-level doses; case reports suggest about 15–20 g may be potentially lethal for adults (with much lower amounts posing serious risk to children). For long-term exposure, a commonly cited upper level for boron is 10 mg/day (≈57 mg/day as boric acid) for adults.