Is sorbic acid a food preservative? What are its side effects?

Yes.Sorbic acid is a white powder or crystal, slightly acidic and astringent taste with a faint odor. It is widely used in many food products to control yeast and mold spoilage. This agent has a very low order of toxicity, and findings have indicated that sorbic acid is metabolized like other fatty acids to CO2 and water. Sorbic acid is a severe irritant. High concentrations are extremely destructive to tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, skin and eyes. The greatest danger from ingestion of large quantities of this compound (2 g/kg) is intestinal obstruction. Aspiration or inhalation could cause chemical pneumonitis.

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