Sodium Benzoate E211 is used in acidic foods and drinks to control bacteria, mold, yeasts, and other microbes. Sodium Benzoate E211 is also used as a preservative in salad dressings (vinegar), carbonated drinks (carbonic acid), jams and fruit juices (citric acid), pickles (vinegar), and condiments. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Sodium Benzoate E211?
Sodium Benzoate E211 is a sodium salt of benzoic acid E210. It appears as a white powder, and it is most commonly used as a preservative in the food and beverage industry in applications such as salad dressings, carbonated drinks, jams and fruit juices.
Possible Side Effects of Sodium Benzoate E211
Though Sodium Benzoate E211 is regarded as safe supplement, there maybe some side effects:
- Abdominal or stomach pain or cramps
- blurred vision
- decreased urine
- dry mouth
- fatigue
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- irregular heartbeat
- loss of appetite
- muscle pain or cramps
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- seizures
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- troubled breathing
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual tiredness or weakness
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Sodium Benzoate E211 is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Sodium Benzoate E211 populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Sodium Benzoate E211.
Related Research
1. A novel RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in soft drinks using C(18) -bonded monolithic silica column. [J Sep Sci. 2011 May 19] Author: Can NO, Arli G, Lafci Y.
2. Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes growth in cured ready-to-eat meat products by use of sodium benzoate and sodium diacetate. [J Food Prot. 2008 Jul] Author: Seman DL, Quickert SC, Borger AC, Meyer JD.
3. Addition of fumaric acid and sodium benzoate as an alternative method to achieve a 5-log reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations in apple cider. [J Food Prot. 2002 Mar] Author: Comes JE, Beelman RB.
4. Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate. [Int J Toxicol. 2001] Author: Nair B.
5. Intravenous administration of caffeine sodium benzoate for postdural puncture headache. [Reg Anesth Pain Med. 1999 Jan-Feb] Author: Yücel A, Ozyalçin S, Talu GK, Yücel EC, Erdine S.