Potassium Sorbate

It prevents the growth of mold and yeast, which is why it is used especially in wet and semi-moist foods.

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, a preservative that stops mold and yeast from growing. FDA lists potassium sorbate as GRAS for animal feed under good manufacturing or feeding practice (21 CFR 582.3640). It is also widely used in human food. If your cat has a medical condition, ask your veterinarian about its diet.

Source: govinfo.gov

Potassium sorbate keeps mold and yeast from growing in the food. It is most useful in foods with more moisture, where mold has an easier time. In the food it acts as sorbic acid, the active preservative. It does not stop fats from going rancid. That job belongs to antioxidants such as tocopherols.

They are closely related. Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, used because the salt dissolves in water far more easily. Once in the food, it works as sorbic acid. FDA lists sorbic acid and potassium sorbate as separate GRAS entries for animal feed, both under good manufacturing or feeding practice.

Source: govinfo.gov

We found no reports describing reactions to potassium sorbate in cats at the amounts used in cat food. Any ingredient can still bother an individual cat. If you see itching or stomach upset after a diet change, your veterinarian can help find the cause.

Pettings gives potassium sorbate 3 out of 5 and lists it as a preservative. It appears on 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Only one dry food in our list uses it. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.