Is sodium benzoate safe? Where it's allowed, limited, and what it's in
Where sodium benzoate is allowed
United States
PermittedFDA lists sodium benzoate as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in 21 CFR 184.1733, as an antimicrobial and flavouring agent at levels not exceeding good manufacturing practice; the regulation notes current usage results in a maximum of 0.1% in food. For cosmetics, FDA says ingredients other than color additives need no FDA approval, and sodium benzoate is not on FDA's list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. [1, 2]
Canada
Permitted with conditionsHealth Canada's List of Permitted Preservatives allows sodium benzoate in named foods, including unstandardized foods and margarine, generally at up to 1,000 ppm calculated as benzoic acid and counted together with benzoic acid and potassium benzoate. It is not on Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. [3, 4]
European Union
Permitted with conditionsSodium benzoate is authorised as E 211 in listed food categories with limits counted together with other benzoates and expressed as free benzoic acid, for example 150 mg/l in flavoured drinks (excluding dairy-based) and 500 mg/kg in low-sugar jams. In cosmetics, the EU allows benzoic acid and sodium benzoate up to 2.5% (as acid) in rinse-off products other than oral products, 1.7% in oral products and 0.5% in leave-on products. [5, 6]
What is sodium benzoate?
Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, coded E211 in Europe. FDA's regulation describes it as made by neutralizing benzoic acid, and lists it among substances affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Benzoates also occur naturally in some fruits and juices, such as cranberries, according to FDA.
Why it's used, and where you'll find it
Sodium benzoate stops bacteria, yeasts and moulds from growing, so drinks, sauces and preserves stay fresh longer. FDA lists its jobs as an antimicrobial agent and a flavouring agent and adjuvant.
What the research and regulators say
Safety reviews and daily intake guidelines
In 2016 EFSA concluded that benzoic acid and its sodium and potassium salts do not raise a concern about genotoxicity and that the data did not indicate any carcinogenic potential. It set a group acceptable daily intake of 5 mg per kg of body weight (as benzoic acid). In 2021 JECFA withdrew its older group guideline of 0 to 5 and set a group guideline of 0 to 20 mg/kg (as benzoic acid equivalents). EFSA noted that toddlers and children who regularly drink a lot of flavoured drinks could exceed its figure in some exposure scenarios. [7, 8]
The benzene issue with vitamin C
FDA reported that benzene can form at very low (parts-per-billion) levels in some drinks containing both benzoate salts and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or erythorbic acid, and that heat and light can encourage it. In an FDA survey of almost 200 beverages from 2005 to May 2007, ten had benzene above 5 ppb: nine contained added benzoate and ascorbic acid, and one was a cranberry drink with added vitamin C but no added benzoate. FDA concluded the levels found did not pose a safety concern for consumers, and reformulated products it re-tested were below 1.5 ppb. Health Canada's 2006 risk assessment concluded that beverages on sale in Canada were safe, based on its findings and on manufacturers reformulating affected products. [9, 10]
A 2007 study on children's behaviour
A 2007 UK trial in The Lancet gave 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children drinks containing sodium benzoate plus one of two artificial colour mixes, or a placebo mix. One mix was linked to small increases in a hyperactivity score in 3-year-olds, and both mixes in 8/9-year-olds in an analysis limited to children who drank at least 85% of their drinks. The authors concluded that artificial colours, sodium benzoate, or both increased hyperactivity, but because benzoate and colours were given together, the study cannot show that benzoate alone affects behaviour. [11]
Who might choose to avoid it
The sources cited here do not single out a group who must avoid sodium benzoate at permitted levels. Some parents choose to limit heavily preserved flavoured drinks for toddlers and young children, noting EFSA's exposure finding and the 2007 behaviour study.
How to spot it on a label
Look for sodium benzoate or E211. In the EU, related benzoates count toward the same limits: benzoic acid (E210), potassium benzoate (E212) and calcium benzoate (E213). Benzene never appears on an ingredient list, since it is not an ingredient.
Check what's in your own productsScan a barcode or a label photo and Label X-Ray flags sodium benzoate and everything else in plain English, with your allergies checked automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is sodium benzoate bad for you?
Regulators consider it acceptable at permitted levels: EFSA's group daily guideline is 5 mg/kg of body weight (as benzoic acid) and JECFA's is 0 to 20 mg/kg. EFSA noted children with high intake of flavoured drinks could exceed its figure in some scenarios.
Is sodium benzoate the same as benzene?
No. Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid; benzene is a different chemical. They are linked only because some drinks containing benzoate and vitamin C were found to form tiny amounts of benzene, and FDA notes heat and light can encourage this. FDA judged the levels it found not a safety concern, and products with higher readings were reformulated.
Is sodium benzoate carcinogenic?
EFSA's 2016 re-evaluation found no genotoxicity concern for benzoic acid and its sodium and potassium salts, and said the data did not indicate carcinogenic potential. The benzene finding is a separate issue about a by-product in certain drinks, which FDA judged not a safety concern at the levels it found.
Is sodium benzoate banned in Europe, Canada or the US?
No. It is authorised as E 211 in the EU with category limits, permitted in Canada generally up to 1,000 ppm as benzoic acid in named foods, and GRAS in the US with current usage at a maximum of 0.1% in food.
What is sodium benzoate in soda?
A preservative that stops bacteria, yeasts and moulds growing. In the EU, flavoured drinks (excluding dairy-based) may contain up to 150 mg/l of benzoates as benzoic acid.
Is sodium benzoate safe for skin?
The EU limits benzoic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics to 0.5% (as acid) in leave-on products, 2.5% in rinse-off products other than oral products, and 1.7% in oral products. FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients, and it is not on Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
Related ingredients
Sources
- U.S. eCFR (Office of the Federal Register) — 21 CFR 184.1733 - Sodium benzoate (accessed 2026-09-19)
- U.S. FDA — Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics (accessed 2026-09-19)
- Health Canada — 11. List of Permitted Preservatives (Lists of Permitted Food Additives) (accessed 2026-09-19)
- Health Canada — Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (accessed 2026-09-19)
- EUR-Lex (European Union) — Consolidated text: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (version of 18 August 2026) (accessed 2026-09-19)
- EUR-Lex (European Union) — Consolidated text: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products (version of 18 May 2026) (accessed 2026-09-19)
- EFSA — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of benzoic acid (E 210), sodium benzoate (E 211), potassium benzoate (E 212) and calcium benzoate (E 213) as food additives (accessed 2026-09-19)
- WHO/FAO JECFA — Sodium Benzoate (JECFA database) (accessed 2026-09-19)
- U.S. FDA — Questions and Answers on the Occurrence of Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages (accessed 2026-09-19)
- Health Canada — Archived: Health Risk Assessment Benzene in Beverages (accessed 2026-09-19)
- PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (accessed 2026-09-19)
This page summarizes what regulators and published research say, as of the review date above. Rules and evidence change; check the linked sources for the latest. It is general information, not medical advice — talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your own health.