Calcium Sorbate
Also known as: E203
Calcium sorbate (E203) had its EU authorization withdrawn in 2018 due to lack of supporting toxicity data, but sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) remain authorized with a group ADI of 11 mg/kg bw/day set by EFSA in 2019. At dietary levels of sorbates, no safety concerns are identified for typical use.
What it is
Calcium sorbate, the calcium salt of sorbic acid; a preservative.
Antimicrobial preservative against molds, yeasts, and some bacteria.
Why it's flagged
- Calcium sorbate specifically delisted in EU 2018 (data gaps, not safety findings)
- Rare contact dermatitis
What regulators actually say
"Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1481 amends Annex II to remove calcium sorbate (E 203) from the list of food additives authorised in the Union, since the additional toxicity data requested from interested business operators were not provided."
"EFSA established a group ADI of 11 mg/kg bw per day expressed as sorbic acid for sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202)."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Sorbic acid and potassium sorbate GRAS (21 CFR 182.3089, 182.3640); calcium sorbate not commonly used in US
European Union — EFSA
E203 calcium sorbate authorization withdrawn by Regulation (EU) 2018/1481; E200/E202 retained with group ADI 11 mg/kg bw/day
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