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Sorbic acid (E200)
Sorbic acid is a preservative used in cheese, baked goods, spreads, drinks.. The EFSA acceptable daily intake is 11 mg per kg of body weight per day — about 660 mg a day for a 60 kg adult.
What it does
Where you meet it
Cheese, baked goods, spreads, drinks.
What the ADI means in practice
660 mg per day is the figure for a 60 kg adult — multiply or divide for your own weight. EFSA derives ADIs with a safety margin of typically 100×, and they describe daily lifetime intake. A single day above the ADI does not translate to harm; a permanent diet above it is what the limit exists to prevent.
This page describes the general scientific position. Allergies and sensitivities are individual: if your body disagrees with an additive, avoid it regardless of any ADI.
Sources: EFSA — food additives re-evaluations · Open Food Facts — additives taxonomy · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
What is Sorbic acid (E200)?
Preservative. It is used in Cheese, baked goods, spreads, drinks.
How much sorbic acid is safe?
EFSA set the ADI at 11 mg per kg body weight per day — 660 mg per day for a 60 kg adult, every day for a lifetime. It is a long-run average, not a single-meal limit.
Should I avoid sorbic acid?
For a healthy adult there is no reason to avoid it at typical intakes. If you have a diagnosed sensitivity or a health condition, your clinician's advice is the one that counts.
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