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Substance group

What counts as Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid…?

2 markets define Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid, benzoates (E 200–213), and they don't all agree. Read each definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.

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Group

Definitions

Market
Definition
Listed members
Source
Annex II Part C: E 200–213: Sorbic acid — sorbates; Benzoic acid — benzoates (SA + BA)
Sorbic acid, Potassium sorbate, Benzoic acid and its sodium salt, Sodium benzoate (1), Potassium benzoate (1), Calcium benzoate (1)
“E 200–213: Sorbic acid — sorbates; Benzoic acid — benzoates (SA + BA)”
Annex II, line 1578 · fetched 2026-10-09European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Annex II, line 1578(opens in a new tab)
Annex II Part C (GB): E 200–213: Sorbic acid — sorbates; Benzoic acid — benzoates (SA + BA)
Sorbic acid, Potassium sorbate, Benzoic acid and its sodium salt, Sodium benzoate (1), Potassium benzoate (1), Calcium benzoate (1)
“E 200–213: Sorbic acid — sorbates; Benzoic acid — benzoates (SA + BA)”
Annex II, line 658 · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 658(opens in a new tab)

Rules

Rules that use these definitions

57 rules.

Requirement
Applies when
Effective
Source
LimitGB
Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid, benzoates (E 200–213) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 1000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Mustard [12.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 200-213 · Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · 1 000 · (1) (2)

Annex rows, Part E, category 12.4; row: E 200-213 Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid, benzoates (E 200–213) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 500 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Soups and broths [12.5]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 200-213 · Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · 500 · (1) (2) · only liquid soups and broths (excluding canned)

Annex rows, Part E, category 12.5; row: E 200-213 Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid, benzoates (E 200–213) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 1000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Sauces [12.6]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 200-213 · Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · 1 000 · (1) (2) · only emulsified sauces with a fat content of 60 % or more; non emulsified sauces

Annex rows, Part E, category 12.6; row: E 200-213 Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid, benzoates (E 200–213) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 2000 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Sauces [12.6]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 200-213 · Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · 2 000 · (1) (2) · only emulsified sauces with a fat content of less than 60 %

Annex rows, Part E, category 12.6; row: E 200-213 Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)
LimitGB
Sorbic acid, sorbates; Benzoic acid, benzoates (E 200–213) as defined in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Limit 1500 mg/kg (content basis)

Official text, current to 28 Jun 2024. legislation.gov.uk point-in-time version 2024-06-28 of Annex II, which the FSA register cites as the terms of authorisation (Annex II was omitted from the revised text from 2025-04-01).

  • EU food category: Salads and savoury based sandwich spreads [12.7]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Applies in GB from 20 January 2010 (retained Art. 35); the Annex text is the version in force on 2024-06-28, the last before Annex II was omitted from the revised legislation on 1 April 2025 (S.I. 2025/361); the FSA register keeps these terms of authorisation. Amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the official list: E 200-213 · Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · 1 500 · (1) (2)

Annex rows, Part E, category 12.7; row: E 200-213 Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate; Benzoic acid – benzoates · fetched 2026-10-10

The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as retained in GB, Annex II (domestic list) as in force on 2024-06-28(opens in a new tab)

See also

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