What is Potassium Sorbate?; A common preservative present in many cosmetic and skin care products. It is generally used as an alternative to parabens by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and preventing the degradation of the product.

It is created using Sorbic Acid, found in ash tree berries, and is quite effective against the proliferation of fungi, mold and yeast.

However, being less effective against bacteria, it is not a preservative that has a broad spectrum of use solely on its own. Potassium sorbate is almost always used in combination with other chemical preservatives to ascertain complete protection.

Not only used in beauty products, this chemical is also present in foods. Wine for example, most of all to improve shelf life.The FDA has approved this chemical as safe and no other major consumer agency has determined it as a human toxin.

More Facts
Due to the generally mild state of potassium corbate, many scientists and researchers consider this ingredient low risk.
Not only is potassium sorbate a generally non-hazardous compound, it is also a natural preservative that has been shown to cause little to no negative effect for long term use. For example, drinking this chemical compound for up to 100 weeks has concluded to be non-carcinogenic thus making it non-toxic in its chemical profile and generally safe to use.

If your dog food has this preservative present, it usually is of no consequence to your pet.

However, in some an extremely sensitive humans, or one that is prone to allergies, potassium sorbate has been shown to irritate allergies, cause nausea, diarrhea, and overall loss in nutritious value.

I have not been able to find any information about this in dogs, so its probably very uncommon. The presence of this chemical is very similar to table salt in that in small quantities, and in moderation, it has no real side effects.

What Is Potassium Sorbate – In Short
So, potassium sorbate might be very low toxic, but if you like to serve dog food with as little additives as possible there is alternatives. On the other hand, you do not to be very anxious if your dog has to eat a certain dog food containing this compound.
Risks are very low according to the knowledge we have today.

To conclude; potassium sorbate is not necessarily a harmful preservative, but, like anything, it might in some very sensitive individuals attribute to sickness if taken in too large of quantities.

In dog food this should not be a problem. It is difficult to add extra potassium sorbate and concentrations is kept on the safe side.

Just be aware of its presents and like any informed modern consumer; Find out what you want and decide what is “right preservatives” for your dog to eat.

If any!

source from:http://www.dog-nutrition-advice.com