Sodium Benzoate Side Effects

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative with 2 high-severity side effects. Found in 26 products in our database. FDA GRAS.

5
Known Side Effects
26
Products Contain It
2
High Severity
4
Safer Alternatives

What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly used in acidic foods and beverages. When combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid), it can form benzene, a known carcinogen. It was one of the additives in the landmark Southampton study linking food additives to hyperactivity.

Also known as:
E211Benzoate of soda

Known Side Effects

High Risk Forms benzene (carcinogen) when combined with vitamin C
High Risk Hyperactivity in children (especially with artificial colors)
Moderate Allergic reactions (hives, asthma)
Moderate Oxidative stress and cell damage
Moderate May exacerbate ADHD symptoms

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA Status

FDA GRAS. Widely used in acidic foods, beverages, and condiments.

🇪🇺 EU Status

Legal with limits. Included in Southampton study leading to EU warning labels on dyes.

Scientific References

  1. FDA found benzene in some beverages containing sodium benzoate + ascorbic acid (2006)
  2. Southampton study (2007) — sodium benzoate + food dyes linked to hyperactivity
  3. Studies on oxidative damage to DNA

Products Containing Sodium Benzoate (26 found)

These products were found to contain sodium benzoate or its variants in our database of 26,000+ grocery products.

#ProductBrandScore
1MARKETSIDE, SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIPWal-Mart Stores, Inc.10/100
2FAVORITE DAY BAKERY COOKIES VARIETY PACK, 16 COUNT, 22.4 OZTarget Stores10/100
3EquateUnknown16/100
4ASSORTED CARAMELS SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE CANDY, ASSORTED CARAMELSRussell Stover Candies Inc.20/100
5SPARKLING WATERCostco Companies Inc.24/100
6Chicken Pot PieKirkland24/100
7Banquet Salisbury Steak with Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Cinnamon Apple Dessert, Frozen Meal, 11.88 oz.Conagra Brands, Inc24/100
8SPRING VALLEY PARTY ASSORTMENT, 12 COUNT, 8.4 OZSPRING VALLEY29/100
9costco chicken saladUnknown35/100
10Marketside Rotisserie Salad CroissantUnknown35/100
11Dr Pepper Zero SugarDr Pepper36/100
12HAMBURGER DILL CHIPS PICKLESWal-Mart Stores, Inc.41/100
13Prenatal VitaminsCVS Health45/100
14COBB SALAD WITH CHICKEN & BACON VALLEY SPRING MIX, WHITE CHICKEN MEAT, TOMATO, EGG, CARROT, BLUE CHEESE, BACON, & SEASONED CROUTONS WITH BUTTERMILK RANCH DRESSING, COBB WITH CHICKEN & BACONTaylor Fresh Foods, Inc.56/100
15CLASSIC POTATO SALAD WITH SWEET PICKLE RELISH, CHOPPED ONION & CELERY, CLASSIC POTATOTarget Stores59/100

Safer Alternatives to Sodium Benzoate

Potassium sorbate (less reactive)Citric acidNatamycinNisin
📬

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of sodium benzoate?
Sodium benzoate can form the carcinogen benzene when combined with vitamin C, has been linked to hyperactivity in children, and may cause allergic reactions and oxidative cell damage.
Does sodium benzoate cause cancer?
Sodium benzoate itself is not classified as a carcinogen, but it can form benzene (a known carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in beverages, especially when exposed to heat and light.

⚕️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Side effect data is compiled from published scientific studies and regulatory assessments. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Last updated: 2026-03-05.

Other Ingredient Side Effects

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) Red 3 (Erythrosine) Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) Aspartame Sucralose Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) All Ingredient Side Effects Banned in Europe Ingredient Encyclopedia
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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Sodium Benzoate Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/side-effects/sodium-benzoate
MLA"Sodium Benzoate Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/side-effects/sodium-benzoate.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/side-effects/sodium-benzoate">Sodium Benzoate Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026sideeffectssodiumbenzoate, title = {Sodium Benzoate Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/side-effects/sodium-benzoate}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }