We have various types of food-grade chemicals, and in the future we will be profiling them individually in order to give food processors and beverage and bottling professionals a better understanding of each. Starting with Potassium Sorbate
Potassium Sorbate or E202, as it is sometimes seen on ingredient labels, is a food-grade chemical often used in the beverage industry to increase shelf life. This preservative is derived from the salts of sorbic acid mixed with potassium hydroxide, making it very water soluble with the intended purpose of killing off yeasts and reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
For the beverage industry, potassium sorbate is often seen as a preservative to fight off microbial growth that occurs often in dairy and bottled products. Another way potassium sorbate can be used in bottling is in the fermentation of wine. Once fermentation of the wine is complete, there still remains a fair level of yeast that can further turn sugars into alcohol – however, with potassium sorbate, winemakers are able finalize fermentation while inhibiting the yeast from any renewed fermentation. This allows the wine to age without changing the flavor profile of the wine. Potassium sorbate is most often used in the wine processing for sweet wines that need the sugars to remain in the flavor.
As a food-grade chemical, potassium sorbate is an incredibly safe product, with little known allergic reactions and a very stable shelf life. The preservative has no taste or affect on the flavor or smell of products it is used on. It is also one of the most common and safest food preservatives in the beverage and bottling industry for ensuring shelf life of products.
Potassium sorbate is available in a powder form and is ready for delivery to your facility. Contact Us Today for a quote on potassium sorbate or other food-grade chemicals.
Please let us know if you have any other preservatives or food products you’d like for us to profile.