When is a "nasty" not a "nasty?"
HOOT TOPIC: Let's Talk Potassium Sorbate:
A Clear Look for Curious Parents
If you’ve been diving into the world of children’s supplements, you’ve probably come across the phrase “free from nasties.”
At Happy Little Owls, we’re all for keeping unnecessary junk out of your little one’s nutrition but we also believe honesty matters more than buzzwords.
That’s why we want to talk about a misunderstood ingredient: potassium sorbate.
Yep, it’s got a bit of a science-y name but that doesn’t make it scary. In fact, potassium sorbate is the salt form of sorbic acid, which is naturally found in fruit such as rowan berries. It’s been used for decades as a gentle, effective way to keep food and supplements safe from spoilage.
So what does potassium sorbate do exactly?
It helps stop mould, yeast and bad bacteria from growing in products like multivitamin liquids. And in case you’re wondering, it breaks down in the body just like any other fatty acid, eventually becoming carbon dioxide and water.
Nothing weird.
Nothing lingering.
Just a tiny, safe, well-researched helper doing its job. Rather like Chip.
What does clean really mean?
We hear a lot about “clean labels” and “all-natural” these days and we get it. As parents, we’re right to be cautious. But there’s a big difference between truly natural and cleverly marketed.
Some brands avoid declaring potassium sorbate on their labels, despite it being very much present in their product.
Others loudly proclaim “no preservatives” or “no nasties” when what they really mean is: “we used something else you’ve never heard of.”
At Happy Little Owls, we believe transparency is the best policy.
If we use something, we tell you why.
If we leave something out, it’s not for a headline it’s because it’s the right choice for your little one.
Why Our Owls Aren’t Afraid of Potassium Sorbate
We include potassium sorbate in tiny, carefully measured amounts, far below regulatory limits, to make sure our supplements stay safe and stable for longer. Without it, we’d risk introducing spoilage or bacteria which really is a “nasty.”
Is it absolutely necessary? For products like ours, yes.
Are we proud of how we use it? Also yes.
We could swap it for trendy “natural” preservatives like rosemary extract but they don’t always play well with liposomes. Worse, we could use other ingredients to an excessive level, causing tummy upsets or blood sugar spikes.
At the end of the day, potassium sorbate is a well-studied, mild-mannered ingredient that does its job quietly and efficiently, exactly how a good preservative should.
Why it Matters
In a nutshell, or a rowan berry if you prefer, when we say something is “clean,” we mean it's backed by real science, responsible sourcing and complete transparency.
Potassium sorbate isn’t a “nasty.”
It’s a misunderstood, helpful, nature-derived protector of your child’s health.
In our opinion, it's a quiet little hero in our mission to make better supplements for growing humans.
You deserve the truth. The owl truth. And nothing but the truth.
