🛡️ Hazard Overview
- GHS Class: GHS07
- Signal Word: Warning
- Hazard Statements: H315; H319; H335
🧤 PPE Guidelines
- Gloves: Chemical‑resistant gloves suggested
- Eye Protection: Safety goggles suggested
- Respirator: Dust respirator if dust occurs
❄️ Storage
- Storage Temp: -20°C (-4°F) Keep dry
🚑 Emergency First Aid
- For inhalation, skin, eye or ingestion exposure, please refer to full SDS Section 4.
Product identifier
- Product Name: Potassium sorbate
- Catalog Number: S3142
- CAS Number: 24634-61-5
- IUPAC Name: 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1), (2E,4E)-
Relevant identified uses and uses advised against
- Identified uses: For research and development use only; laboratory chemicals; manufacture of substances.
- Uses advised against: Not for pharmaceutical, household, or other unapproved uses.
Details of the supplier
- Company: Selleck Chemicals
- TollFree: +1 877 796-6397
- Tel: +1 832 582-8158
- Fax: +1 832 582-8590
Emergency telephone number
- Emergency phone #: +1 832 582-8158
2.1 GHS classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS):
Skin irritation: Category 2. H315
Serious eye irritation: Category 2. H319
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure): Category 3. H335
2.2 GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Hazard Pictogram(s):
Signal Word:
Warning
Hazard statement(s):
H315: Causes skin irritation
H319: Causes serious eye irritation
H335: May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary statement(s):
Prevention:
P261: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.
P264: Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P264+P265: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
P271: Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection.
Response:
P302+P352: IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of water.
P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
P305+P351: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
P319: Get medical help if you feel unwell.
P321: Specific treatment (see information on this label and safety datasheet)).
P332+P317: If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
P337+P317: If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
P338: Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P362+P364: Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.
Storage:
P403+P233: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
P405: Store locked up.
Disposal:
P501: P501 Dispose of contents/ container to an approved waste disposal plant.
2.3 Other hazards
None.
3.1 Substances
Product name: Potassium sorbate
CAS Number: 24634-61-5
PubChem CID: 23676745
Molecular formula: C6H7KO2
Molecular weight: 150.22 g/mol
IUPAC name: potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate
3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).
4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek medical attention.
4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
See Section 11 (Toxicological Information).
4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Treat symptomatically. Contact a poison control center or physician for severe exposure.
5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam.
Unsuitable: None known.
5.2 Specific hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide
Advice for firefighters: Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.
5.3 Advice for firefighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing.
Fight fire from upwind. Cool containers with water spray until fire is extinguished.
6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8).
Avoid breathing dust/vapor. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Keep people away from and upwind of spill.
6.2 Environmental precautions
Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil.
Contain spill with inert absorbent material.
6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Do not let product enter drains. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber; Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.
SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Do not let product enter drains.
Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. Normal measures for preventive fire protection.
Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.
7.1 Precautions for safe handling
Store in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
...Potassium sorbate should be stored @ temp below 100 °F & should not be exposed to light or heat. Containers should be kept closed.
7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Store in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
...Potassium sorbate should be stored @ temp below 100 °F & should not be exposed to light or heat. Containers should be kept closed.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
[Note: Specific storage temperature not available in public databases. Refer to supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact storage conditions.]
Store in original container. Keep upright to prevent leakage.
8.1 Exposure controls
8.1.1 Occupational exposure limits (OEL)
OSHA PEL: Not established.
ACGIH TLV: Not established.
NIOSH REL: Not established.
No occupational exposure limit values are established for this substance.
Use the lowest feasible exposure level (ALARA principle).
8.1.2 Appropriate engineering controls
Use only in a chemical fume hood or with local exhaust ventilation.
Ensure adequate ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below exposure limits.
8.2 Individual protection measures
8.2.1 Eye/face protection
Wear chemical safety goggles.
8.2.2 Skin protection
Wear protective gloves. Recommended material: Nitrile rubber.
Wear suitable protective clothing (lab coat).
8.2.3 Respiratory protection
Use NIOSH-approved dust/mist respirator (N95 or higher) if ventilation is inadequate.
8.2.4 Thermal hazards
Not applicable.
9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Liquid; CBI; Dry Powder
b) Odor: Characteristic odor
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: for sorbic acidMelting range of sorbic acid isolated by acidification and not recrystallised 133 °C to 135 °C after vacuum drying in a sulphuric acid desiccator
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: No data available
g) Flash point: No data available
h) Evaporation rate: No data available
i) Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
k) Vapor pressure: No data available
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: 1.363 at 25 °C/20 °C
n) Water solubility: Solubility in water at 20 °C: 58.2%; in alcohol: 6.5%
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P: No data available
p) Auto-ignition temperature: No data available
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: No data available
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available
9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 40.1 Ų
Complexity: 127
10.1 Reactivity
No specific reactivity hazards identified under normal handling conditions.
10.2 Chemical stability
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
10.3 Possibility of hazardous reactions
No hazardous reactions under normal conditions.
10.4 Conditions to avoid
Avoid heat, sparks, open flames, direct sunlight, and moisture.
10.5 Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.
10.6 Hazardous decomposition products
Thermal decomposition may produce: Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
See also Section 5 (Fire-fighting measures) for combustion products.
11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
Causes skin irritation (H315).
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye irritation (H319).
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
No data available.
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.
11.2 Additional information
Carcinogen classification:
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.
12.1 Toxicity
Potassium sorbate's production and use as a bacteriostat and preservative in meats, sausage casings, wine(1) and cosmetics(2) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).
The stability of potassium sorbate is strongly dependent on its water content, which must be kept below 0.5%. At room temperature about 140 g of potassium sorbate can be dissolved in 100 mL of water. ... Potassium sorbate is resistant to air oxidation ... although the stability in the solid state depends on purity.
According to the 2012 TSCA Inventory Update Reporting data, 23 reporting facilities estimate the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed during the manufacturing, processing, or use of potassium sorbate in the United States may be considered as confidential business information (CBI) or unknown values(1).
12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.
12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
No data available.
12.4 Mobility in soil
No data available.
12.5 Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT/vPvB assessment not available.
12.6 Other adverse effects
No other adverse ecological effects identified.
13.1 Waste treatment methods
Waste Treatment Methods: Waste material must be disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations. Leave chemicals in original containers and do not mix with other waste. Handle uncleaned containers in the same manner as the product itself.
14.1 UN number
Not regulated as dangerous goods (research quantities typically exempt).
14.2 UN proper shipping name
Not subject to transport regulations (small quantities for research use).
14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (research quantities).
14.4 Packing group
Not applicable (not regulated as dangerous goods in typical research quantities).
14.5 Environmental hazards
Marine pollutant: No (not classified as environmentally hazardous per GHS).
14.6 Special precautions for user
Transport in original packaging. Ensure containers are tightly sealed.
For bulk or commercial quantities, consult applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG).
14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
Not applicable.
15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
US EPA / TSCA: Subject to EPA TSCA regulations
EU ECHA / REACH: Registered (REACH Active)
SARA 302 Components:
No chemicals in this material are subject to the reporting requirements of SARA Title III, Section 302.
SARA 313 Components:
This material does not contain any chemical components with known CAS numbers that exceed the threshold (De Minimis) reporting levels established by SARA Title III, Section 313.
SARA 311/312 Hazards:
Acute (short-term) health hazard
Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
California Prop. 65 Components:
This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or any other reproductive harm.
Other regulatory listings:
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1), (2E,4E)-
- EFSA Legal Basis: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (amended)
- Status Regulation (EC): 2004/129/EC, Reg. (EU) 2017/2068
- FIFRA Requirements: An exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of potassium sorbate.
- FDA Requirements: Potassium sorbate used as a chemical preservative in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
Potassium sorbate used as a chemical preservative in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe whe
15.2 Chemical safety assessment
A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out for this substance.
For research-use-only compounds, no CSA is required under REACH Annex I.
Revision Date: 2026/09/09
Further Information: The information provided is believed to be correct but is not exhaustive and should be used only as a guideline based on current knowledge. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product. Selleck Chemicals Corporation and its Affiliates shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or contact with the product.