Preservative
Sodium benzoate is a preservative, with the E number E211. It is most widely used in acidic foods such as salad dressings (i.e. acetic acid in vinegar), carbonated drinks (carbonic acid), jams and fruit juices (citric acid), pickles (acetic acid) and condiments. It is also used as a preservative in medicines and cosmetics. Under these conditions it is converted into benzoic acid (E210), which is bacteriostatic and fungistatic. Concentration as a food preservative is limited by governments (USA FDA to 0.1% by weight). Sodium benzoate is also allowed as an animal food additive at up to 0.1%, according to AFCO’s (European Committee on Constitutional Affairs) official publication. Sodium benzoate has and is being replaced by potassium sorbate in soft drinks in some counties. We recommend checking this in your country.
Pharmaceutical applications
Sodium benzoate is used by pharmaceutical companies as a preservative in many medications. This being said, speak to your pharmacist when collecting medication.
Sodium benzoate is used as a treatment for urea cycle disorders due to its ability to bind amino acids. This leads to excretion of these amino acids and a decrease in ammonia levels. Sodium benzoate, along with phenylbutyrate, is used to treat hyperammonemia
Other Applications
Sodium Benzoate is used in many different industries from making fireworks whistle, to adding scent through cinnamon extract to fabric softener. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care product formulas as a fragrance ingredient, masking ingredient and anti-corrosive agent.