Allervibe
E211
Sodium benzoate
The sodium salt of benzoic acid, effective in acidic foods and drinks.
i Additive Details
| Is E211 Sodium benzoate safe?
When combined with ascorbic acid (E300) and exposed to heat or light, trace amounts of benzene can form. Manufacturers have largely reformulated to prevent this. Reactions are reported in some people with asthma, urticaria, or aspirin sensitivity.
| Uses
Preserves soft drinks, fruit juices, salad dressings, jams, pickles, soy sauce, condiments, and many medicines. Most effective at pH below 4.5, which is why it shows up so often in fizzy drinks and pickled foods.
| Interactions
Reacts with ascorbic acid in acidic solutions to potentially form benzene. Frequently paired with potassium sorbate (E202) to broaden the antimicrobial range across pH levels.
| Origin
Synthetic. Produced industrially by reacting benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in cranberries, prunes, and cinnamon.
| Daily Intake
EFSA's 2016 re-evaluation maintained a group ADI for benzoic acid and benzoates of 5 mg per kg of body weight per day (expressed as benzoic acid).
Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Related additives
- E202 Potassium sorbate The potassium salt of sorbic acid, used to inhibit mold and yeast.
- E220 Sulphur dioxide A gaseous preservative used to prevent browning and microbial growth.
- E250 Sodium nitrite A curing salt that gives cured meats their pink color and inhibits Clostridium botulinum.
- E1105 Lysozyme An enzyme isolated from hen egg white that breaks down the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria.
- E221 Sodium sulphite A soluble sodium salt of sulphurous acid used as a preservative and antioxidant.
- E222 Sodium bisulphite The sodium salt of hydrogen sulphite, supplied as an aqueous solution and used as a preservative and antioxidant.
Spot Sodium benzoate with Allervibe
Reading every line of the ingredient list to find a single additive takes time. Allervibe pulls the full additive breakdown from each scan so you can see Sodium benzoate at a glance.
- ▮ Scan a barcode to see every additive listed for that product
- ▲ Open any additive for plain-language information
- ↻ Save products to favorites so repeat checks are instant