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Sodium Benzoate (E211) — What You Need to Know

Caution(5/10)Synthetic

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Sodium benzoate is one of the oldest and most widely used food preservatives. It occurs naturally in small amounts in some fruits and spices, but the commercial form is synthetically produced. It works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast in acidic foods. A significant concern is its ability to combine with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to form benzene, a known carcinogen.

What Is It Used For?

Used in acidic foods and beverages including soft drinks, fruit juices, pickles, condiments, and salad dressings to prevent microbial spoilage.

Function: Antimicrobial preservative
3 mg
Dataset exposure estimate
350 mg
ADI-derived reference (70 kg)
0.9%
of ADI (typical diet)

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
5 mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇪🇺 EU: Authorized
🇺🇸 US: Approved
🇯🇵 JP: Approved
🇦🇺 AU: Approved
🇨🇦 CA: Approved
⚠️ Key Concerns

The primary concern with sodium benzoate is that it can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in acidic beverages to form benzene, a Group 1 carcinogen. While the FDA and other agencies have found benzene levels in most products to be very low (below 5 ppb), the FDA advises reformulation where possible. It has also been included in studies linking preservative combinations to hyperactivity in children.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Sodium Benzoate an editorial context label of Caution with a score of 5/10. This is 0.7 points below the database average for preservatives (5.7/10). Dataset reference year: 2016. The dataset's population estimate equals about 0.9% of the listed ADI.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

Soft drinksFruit juicesPicklesKetchupSalad dressingsSoy sauce
Example brands:
PepsiDr PepperHeinz

Always check the label for E211 or 'Sodium Benzoate'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: C7H5NaO2
Molecular Weight: 144.1 g/mol
CAS Number: 532-32-1
INS Number: 211
Also known as: E211, INS 211, Benzoate of soda, Phenylcarboxylic acid sodium salt

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Benzoate

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS; EFSA/EU — Authorized. Reported concerns: The primary concern with sodium benzoate is that it can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in acidic beverages to form benzene, a Group 1 carcinogen. While the FDA and other agencies have found benzene levels in most products to be very low (below 5 ppb), the FDA advises reformulation where possible. It has also been included in studies linking preservative combinations to hyperactivity in children. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E211
INS Number
211
Category
Preservatives
Origin
Synthetic
FDA Status
GRAS
EFSA Status
Authorized
ADI
5 mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2016
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

Quick Links

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

Related Additives

Other preservatives in the same family

Potassium Benzoate (E212)Sorbic Acid (E200)Potassium Sorbate (E202)