Processed
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, a classic antimicrobial for acidic soft drinks, fruit juices, pickles, condiments, and many sauces. It dissolves readily, then equilibrates to undissociated benzoic acid that disrupts microbial metabolism most effectively below about pH 4.5. Processors choose it when clarity, cost, and yeast-and-bacteria control in high-acid liquids matter more than mild flavour neutrality at high dose. Pure food-grade benzoate is a white powder or granule with a faint sweet-chemical note if tasted neat. In finished drinks it should be undetectable at legal use levels. Avoid combining high ascorbate with benzoate under conditions that can form trace benzene; formulators manage this with process design and limits. Store sealed and dry. Not a substitute for low pH and good plant hygiene.
Also known as: E211, Sodium benzoate, Sodium benzoate, Anisokusan natoriumu, Běnjiǎsuān nà, Sodium benzoate
Track this ingredient
Explore further
Characteristics
Preparations
Provenance
Sources
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0 g
- Saturated Fat 0 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 15950 mg
- Salt 39.9 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 0 g
- Water 0.4 g
- Water 0.4 g
- Minerals 15950 mg
- Major Minerals 15950 mg
- Sodium 15950 mg
Minerals
Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, a yeast-and-mould inhibitor in acidic drinks and sauces. It is not a sweetener. Dry powder is 0 kcal with ~16% sodium (~15950 mg/100 g) and no protein, fat, or carbohydrate.
History
Benzoic acid’s preservative action was studied, paving the way for benzoate salts in foods.
Sodium benzoate was among the early chemical preservatives scrutinised and permitted in American soft drinks and condiments.
Mass soft-drink production locked sodium benzoate into global beverage preservation practice.
E211 authorised sodium benzoate under European additive regulations for defined acidic foods.
Industry guidance tightened around benzoate–ascorbate interactions and residual benzene control in beverages.