Sodium benzoate

Also known as: E211, benzoate of soda

Moderate concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Sodium benzoate (E211) is a common preservative in soft drinks, dressings, sauces and pickles, used to stop the growth of yeasts and moulds in acidic foods.

Why people ask

Shoppers ask whether sodium benzoate is a problem, especially in fizzy drinks that also contain vitamin C.

What our method flags — by use

Food · US

In food, our method rates sodium benzoate as moderate-concern: it is a permitted preservative, but our method flags the benzene-formation condition when it sits alongside vitamin C.

The US lists sodium benzoate as a permitted preservative under 21 CFR 184.1733, with use limits.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
US FDA	The US lists sodium benzoate as a permitted preservative under 21 CFR 184.1733, with use limits.	authority_regulatory	2024-01-01	source
US FDA	The FDA flagged by advisory that benzoate salts together with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can form low levels of benzene in beverages under heat and light; benzene is an authority-listed hazard.	authority_regulatory	2007-05-01	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Fair (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product's score, sodium benzoate contributes a moderate concern signal under our method, weighted higher when the same product also lists ascorbic acid because of the benzene-formation condition.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

Common questions

Is sodium benzoate always a concern?: Our method rates it as a moderate signal, and raises it when a product pairs benzoate with vitamin C, per the advisory reported in the evidence table.

This is what Sodium benzoate is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.