Sodium benzoate (E211)
- Food Fine
What is Sodium benzoate (E211)?
Sodium benzoate (E211) is a common preservative that stops mould and bacteria in soft drinks, sauces and pickles. It's fine for most people at normal amounts. A few sensitive people react to it, and some soft drinks can form trace benzene, which is monitored and kept low.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Sodium benzoate?
Yasno’s verdict on Sodium benzoate: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Sodium benzoate allowed in the EU?
EU status of Sodium benzoate: Listed in Yasno’s EU regulatory data, with no further details recorded. Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Listed in Yasno’s EU regulatory data, with no further details recorded | Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS, a US regulatory category) |
What else is it called?
- Sobenate
- Antimol
- Benzoic acid, sodium salt
Sources
- JECFA’s 2021 evaluation, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 2021
- EFSA assessment of sodium benzoate, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2016
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
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