Sodium benzoate is a widely used preservative that is generally recognized as safe for food additives. While ingesting large quantities may pose health risks, sodium benzoate is considered safe for use as a food additive according to recommended dosages of 0-5 mg/kg body weight. Some reports have suggested a link between sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid, but most research finds sodium benzoate to be generally safe when used in normal dosages, though in very large amounts over 50g it may cause nausea or vomiting. Special groups like newborns, children, and pregnant individuals require no special precautions but professionals should be consulted before long term use of large quantities.

1. Safety Facts And Side Effects About Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Benzoate, CAS# 532-32-1, is a sodium salt of benzoic acid manufactured through
chemical synthesis, available as white powder. Sodium Benzoate is widely used as preservatives.
It is widely accepted as safe food additive in many countries with E number E211.
Is there some safety and/or health risk about Sodium Benzoate that consumers need to know?
Let's check out some basic facts about this ingredient.
GRAS Exemptions: Yes
Generally recognized as safe(GRAS) is a FDA designation that a specific substance or ingredient is
generally considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Sodium Benzoate is perfectly safe
for using as food additives.
Suggested Dosage
Ingestion of Sodium Benzoate in large quantity may hurt our health, please follow the guideline
of using Sodium Benzoate: ADI 0-5 mg/kg body weight
Special Groups Precaution
Special groups refer to newborns, children, pregnant and any other applicable vulnerable groups.
There is no evidence that Sodium Benzoate could have any negative effects on these vulnerable
groups. It should be safe to use Sodium Benzoate in food for newborns and pregnant. However,
we still recommend consumers to consult professionals before using large quantity of Sodium
Benzoate for long period in food for newborns or pregnant.
General Side Effects
Sodium benzoate is generally safe when used in normal dosage. When ingusted in large dosage
(up to 50g), it can cause nausea and vomiting in certain group of individuals.
Reported Health Issues
1. FDA reviewed the suspect on safety of using sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) at
the same time
Reference:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/2006/ucm108636.htm
Related Research
1. Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate.
[Int J Toxicol. 2001]
Author: Nair B.
2. Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate preservatives in Iranian doogh. [Food Addit Contam
Part B Surveill. 2014]

2. Author: Zamani Mazdeh F, Esmaeili Aftabdari F, Moradi-Khatoonabadi Z, Shaneshin M, Torabi P,
Shams Ardekani MR, Hajimahmoodi M.
3. Lean production of taste improved lipidic sodium benzoate formulations. [Eur J Pharm
Biopharm. 2014 May 21]
Author: Eckert C, Pein M, Breitkreutz J.
4. Sodium benzoate for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. [Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2013
Apr]
Author: Misel ML, Gish RG, Patton H, Mendler M.
5. Protective role of catechin and quercetin in sodium benzoate-induced lipid peroxidation and
the antioxidant system in human erythrocytes in vitro. [ScientificWorldJournal. 2014 Feb 12]
Author: Yetuk G, Pandir D, Bas H.
Source: http://www.foodchemadditives.com/side_effects_info/626