Is E200 halal?

What is E200?

Sorbic acid is a preservative that slows the growth of moulds and yeasts. It was first found in rowan berries, but food-grade sorbic acid is made by chemical synthesis. It is a white powder that dissolves only slightly in water, so its potassium salt is often used instead.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

Food-grade sorbic acid is made synthetically from simple petrochemical building blocks, with no animal or alcohol input, so it is generally treated as halal. The rowan-berry story is history only; commercial supply does not come from berries.

How to check the label

No special check is needed for sorbic acid. Read the rest of the label as usual; in cheese, for example, the rennet matters more than the preservative.

Where you'll find it

• cheese
• cakes and pastries
• jams
• dips and sauces
• dried fruit

Good to know

• In 2019 EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 11 mg per kg of body weight per day for sorbic acid and potassium sorbate.
• Its name comes from the rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia), whose berries it was first isolated from in 1859.
• In 2015 EFSA excluded calcium sorbate (E203) from the group ADI because genotoxicity data were missing.

Similar additives

• E202 Potassium sorbate Generally halal
• E211 Sodium benzoate Generally halal
• E220 Sulphur dioxide Generally halal
• E250 Sodium nitrite Generally halal
• E260 Acetic acid Generally halal
• E282 Calcium propionate Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EFSA re-evaluation of sorbic acid, potassium and calcium sorbate (2015)
2. EFSA follow-up on sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) (2019)

Frequently asked questions