Sodium benzoate side effects: is it safe?
Safe at normal levels, but can form benzene when mixed with vitamin C.
Also listed as: E211, INS 211, Benzoate of soda, Benzoic acid sodium salt
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What is Sodium benzoate?
Sodium benzoate is a preservative that stops mold, yeast and bacteria from growing in acidic foods. Small amounts of benzoic acid also occur naturally in cranberries, cinnamon and some dairy.
Why manufacturers use it
It is cheap and very effective in acidic products, extending the shelf life of sodas, juices, pickles and sauces once opened.
Where you'll find it
- Sodas and fruit drinks
- Pickles and salad dressings
- Sauces and condiments
- Jams
- Some medicines and cosmetics
Potential health concerns
- Combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plus heat or light, it can form benzene, a known carcinogen, in drinks.
- It was one of the additives in the 2007 Southampton hyperactivity study.
- Some people with asthma or hives report sensitivity.
How it works in the body
Your body quickly links benzoate to the amino acid glycine and removes it in urine as hippuric acid, usually within hours, so it does not build up.
How much is too much
EFSA's group acceptable daily intake for benzoic acid and benzoates is 5 mg per kg of body weight. Young children who drink a lot of soft drinks can come close.
What scientific studies indicate
At regulated levels, reviews find no significant harm for most people. The benzene issue is about product formulation and storage, and the hyperactivity link comes mainly from studies that mixed it with dyes.
Regulatory status by country
United States
Permitted (GRAS) up to 0.1% in foods.
European Union
Permitted as E211 in specific food categories with limits.
Canada
Permitted.
Australia / NZ
Permitted (code 211).
Why it's rated this color
- Permitted in the US, EU, Canada and Australia/NZ.
- FDA found benzene in some soft drinks in 2006–07; most manufacturers reformulated.
- Mixed findings on behavior keep it out of the green.
Sources and original research
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of benzoic acid and its salts (E 210–213) — EFSA Journal, 2016
- Data on Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children — The Lancet (McCann et al.), 2007
Last reviewed November 2026. Educational information, not medical advice.
Is Sodium benzoate in your food?
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