Use
Sorbic acid is used as an antimicrobial preservative in oral and
topical pharmaceutical formulations and is generally regarded as a
nontoxic material. However, adverse reactions to sorbic acid and
potassium sorbate, including irritant skin reactions and
allergic hypersensitivity skin reactions (which are less frequent),
have been reported.
Other adverse reactions that have been reported include
exfoliative dermatitis due to ointments that contain sorbic
acid, and allergic conjunctivitis caused by contact lens solutions
preserved with sorbic acid.
No adverse reactions have been described after systemic
administration of sorbic acid, and it has been reported that it can
be ingested safely by patients who are allergic to sorbic acid.
However, perioral contact urticaria has been reported.
The WHO has set an estimated total acceptable daily intake for
sorbic acid, calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate, and sodium
sorbate, expressed as sorbic acid, at up to 25 mg/kg bodyweight.
Animal toxicological studies have shown no mammalian
carcinogenicity or teratogenicity for sorbic acid consumed at up
to 10% of the diet.
LD50 (mouse, IP): 2.82 g/kg
LD50 (mouse, oral): 3.20 g/kg
LD50 (mouse, SC): 2.82 g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): 7.36 g/kg