Sodium Benzoate Less Than 1/10 Of 1

Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid, a widely used food preservative. It is typically produced industrially by reacting toluene with chlorine and then oxidizing the resulting benzyl chloride. It appears as a white crystalline powder.

Sodium benzoate is primarily used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is often found in acidic foods and beverages like salad dressings, carbonated drinks, jams, fruit juices, and pickles.

Sodium benzoate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food additive. The WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated it and established an acceptable daily intake. Some studies have explored potential links between sodium benzoate and hyperactivity in children, but the evidence is mixed and not conclusive. It can also form benzene, a carcinogen, when combined with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in certain conditions, though levels are typically very low.