Potassium Sorbate
HOOT TOPIC: What About Potassium Sorbate?
A Clear Look for Curious Parents
At Happy Little Owls, we believe parents deserve honest, science-backed information about what goes into their children’s supplements. One ingredient that often sparks questions is potassium sorbate, a widely used food-grade preservative.
So, what is it? And is it safe?
Potassium sorbate is known for doing an important job: keeping products safe from mould and yeast, particularly in liquid or moist formulations.
It has a mild profile, is considered safe by UK and international regulators, and is often accepted in clean-label products.
But while many parents are fine with it, especially those who want effective protection without harsher chemicals, others prefer to avoid preservatives altogether. This is especially true in organic or naturopathic circles, where some families seek preservative-free solutions.
What We're Seeing in the Market
Unfortunately, some brands have started claiming their products are “preservative-free” or “potassium sorbate-free,” when in reality, those preservatives are still present (sometimes under different names). That’s not just misleading, it’s a breach of consumer trust and labelling laws.
At Happy Little Owls, we believe in honest labelling and ingredient transparency, always.
Are There Natural Alternatives?
There are natural and nature-inspired ingredients being explored, such as:
- Nisin and natamycin (natural antimicrobials from fermentation)
- Essential oils like rosemary and oregano
- Fermented plant extracts
These can be helpful… but they have limitations.
Some of these alternatives only work against certain microbes, can affect flavour or colour, or require excessively high amounts that don’t suit healthy children’s products.
No single natural option fully replaces potassium sorbate in terms of effectiveness, shelf stability and gentle compatibility, especially in liquid supplements designed for children.
Why it Matters
We carefully evaluate every ingredient, not just for safety but for how it supports growing bodies, sensitive systems and honest expectations.
If we use potassium sorbate, you’ll always see it on the label. If we choose an alternative, we’ll explain why and what it does.
If it’s in the bottle, it’s on the label.
