E200 — Sorbic acid

No concern

E200 (Sorbic acid) raises no animal-source question. A preservative that holds back mould and yeast.

Why it raises no question

It is manufactured synthetically; the name comes from the rowan berry it was first found in, not from its source today.

Where you meet it

Cheese, bread, dried fruit, soft drinks.

What to do in the shop

Nothing special to do for E200 itself. Read the rest of the list: a product is only as clear as its least clear ingredient.

A status here describes the additive in general — a specific product can be different. The same number can be made from plant or animal material depending on the manufacturer, and the label does not say which.

Questions people ask

Is E200 halal?

E200 (Sorbic acid) raises no animal-source question, so on its own it is not a problem. The rest of the ingredient list still decides the product.

What is E200 made from?

It is manufactured synthetically; the name comes from the rowan berry it was first found in, not from its source today.

Related additives

E202 — Potassium sorbate · No concern
E172 — Iron oxides and hydroxides · No concern
E171 — Titanium dioxide · No concern

See all E-numbers →

Check a product, not just a number

An additive's status describes the additive in general. What matters is the whole ingredient list on the packet in your hand.

This is information, not a fatwa. These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date. For anything that matters, confirm with the manufacturer and with a qualified authority.