Is Sodium Benzoate Safe to Eat?

Take a walk down any grocery store aisle and you’re guaranteed to encounter an ingredient that feels like another language. Those long names that only a chemistry buff would understand can leave you feeling intimidated at best, and concerned for your long-term health, at worst.

Sodium benzoate is one of those ingredients, and it’s commonly found in common kitchen staples – from pickles to salad dressings to soft drinks (1).

Those who are conscientious about how specific additives may affect their health may wonder whether sodium benzoate is another ingredient to add to their list of no-gos.

So, is sodium benzoate safe to eat when it comes to promoting long and short-term health?

Here’s a breakdown of what sodium benzoate is, what the possible benefits and risks are, and what’s most important to look for when shopping for products that commonly contain sodium benzoate.

What is sodium benzoate?

Sodium benzoate is a food additive that’s commonly used to preserve food and beverages and add flavor. It helps prevent foodborne illnesses and infections by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi during storage – making it a valuable tool in ensuring packaged foods are safe to eat (2).

It’s listed among the “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) compounds by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as long as it falls below the levels designated as safe for consumption – in this case, a concentration of up to 0.1% (3).

Common foods in which sodium benzoate is used include margarine, sauces, marmalades, gelatin, liqueurs, beers, fruit juices, and soft drinks  (2).

Does sodium benzoate have any health benefits?

Sodium benzoate is known to be useful for managing symptoms caused by urea disorders, and it’s undergoing ongoing research as a potential treatment for a range of other medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease (4, 5).

Outside of these medical uses, sodium benzoate has no proven nutritional or health benefits for the general population.

What are the risks of sodium benzoate?

Sodium benzoate does pose health concerns, but further research is needed to understand its link to particular negative health effects.

For one, sodium benzoate is added to many soft drinks and fruit juices as a preservative. It can react with the ascorbic acid present in these beverages and form benzene, which has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen – a cancer-promoting compound – by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). However, studies suggest that the amount of benzene that forms in sodium benzoate-containing soft drinks is too low to pose any meaningful risk for the general population (6). 

Additionally, a small number of children have been reported to experience allergic reactions to products containing the additive. It is also thought to influence neurotransmission and cognitive functioning, but more research is needed (5).

What foods have sodium benzoate?

Sodium benzoate can be found in certain food and beverage products within the following categories (7):

• Alcoholic beverages
• Baked goods
• Breakfast cereals
• Cheese
• Condiments, relishes
• Confection, frosting
• Fats, oils
• Frozen dairy
• Fruit ices
• Fruit juice
• Gelatins, puddings
• Gravies
• Imitation dairy
• Instant coffee, tea
• Jams, jellies
• Meat products
• Milk products
• Nonalcoholic beverages
• Processed vegetables
• Sweet sauce
• Candy

So, is Sodium Benzoate Safe to Eat? Here are the key takeaways

Sodium benzoate is generally regarded as safe by the FDA and has known uses in the treatment of medical conditions. However, it is associated with the formation of benzene, a known carcinogen in soft drinks. According to existing studies, levels are too low to post any significant risk but more research is needed. Other potential health effects, including its role in allergies and cognitive function, are being studied but no definitive conclusions have yet been reached.

Unless you’re concerned about an allergic reaction, sodium benzoate is most likely not the primary ingredient to make note of on a nutrition label. In common sodium benzoate-containing foods like soft drinks and ultra-processed food items, there are other components to be mindful of.

Ultra-processed food tends to be higher in sodium and refined oils that are high in saturated fat, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and can exacerbate symptoms in those with pre-existing heart conditions (8, 9).

These types of foods also tend to contain high amounts of added sugar. When consumed in excess, added sugar increases the risk of a number of health conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes (10).

When looking for foods with optimal health benefits, look for items with less than 5% of the daily value of saturated fat and added sugar, and more than 10% of the daily value of fiber and other beneficial nutrients.

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GreenChoice, PBC has evaluated and rated more than 340,000 food & beverage products across hundreds of attributes related to diet, health, and sustainability. Easily find the best products for you, the planet, & your budget. Sign up to access the GreenChoice marketplace, the first carbon-neutral online grocery marketplace for healthy, climate-friendly shopping.

Sydney W

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