Crude sorbic acid is substantially purified by solvent treatment. The crude crystalline acid is contacted with an organic solvent in an amount which is effective for dissolving Impurities but under conditions such that no more than a minor proportion of the sorbic acid is dissolved. This produces a substantially purified crystalline sorbic acid and an organic liquor comprising the solvent and containing a substantial portion of the aforesaid impurities. The organic liquor can be mechanically separated from the crystalline sorbic acid.
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