Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is used to inhibit molds and yeasts in many foods, such as cheese, yogurt, dried meats,  soft drinks and fruit drinks, and baked goods. It is used in the preparation of items such as Sweet maple syrup and milkshakes served by fast food conglomerates such as Mc Donalds. It can also be found in the ingredients list of many dried fruit products. In addition, herbal dietary supplement products generally contain potassium sorbate, which acts to prevent mold and microbes and to increase shelf life. It is used in quantities at which there are no known adverse health effects, over short periods of time. Labeling of this preservative on ingredient statements reads as "potassium sorbate" or "E202". Also, it is used in many personal care products to inhibit the development of micro organisms for shelf stability. Some manufacturers are using this preservative as a replacement for parabens. Tube feeding of potassium sorbate reduces gastric burden of pathogenic bacteria.

Also known as potassium sorbate produces sorbic acid when added . It serves two purposes. When active fermentation has ceased and  racked for the final time after clearing, potassium sorbate will render any surviving yeast incapable of multiplying. Yeast living at that moment can continue fermenting any residual sugar into CO2 and when they die no new yeast will be present to cause future fermentation. When  bottling, potassium sorbate is used to prevent refermentation when used in conjunction with potassium metabisulfite. It is primarily used with sweet but may be added to table which exhibit difficulty in maintaining clarity after finin