Sodium Benzoate
Decode Label flags Sodium Benzoate as a low concern in both food and personal care (artificial additive). It appears in 45 of the 912 published products we have analysed (4.9%).
The concern
Preservative - can form benzene with vitamin C; in the Southampton colour/preservative mixtures
Benzoates are permitted preservatives with an established acceptable daily intake. Two documented concerns: in acidic drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) they can slowly form small amounts of benzene, especially with heat and light (US FDA beverage survey, 2006); and sodium benzoate was one of the additives in the Southampton study mixtures associated with hyperactivity in children. It can also trigger reactions in some people with asthma or urticaria.
Most relevant to
Cited authority
EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007
Linked sources: EU-CosIng →
How common it is in this catalogue
Measured across every product Decode Label has analysed — not estimated, and not taken from anyone else's dataset.
By category
Regulatory position
From the published regulation itself. Each row links to its source.
| Authority | Status | Reference | Scope / limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU-CosIng | Permitted | Annex V 1 | a) Rinse-off products, except oral care products b) Oral care products c) Leave-on produ... max a) 2.5% (acid) b) 1.7% (acid) c) 0.5%... | View → |
Identity
- Canonical name
- Benzoic acid and its sodium salt
- INCI name
- BENZOIC ACID; SODIUM BENZOATE
- CAS number
- 65-85-0
- EC number
- 200-618-2
- E number
- E211
Also appears on labels as
Questions
Is Sodium Benzoate safe?
The concern is cited to EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (2016); US FDA benzene-in-beverages survey (2006); McCann et al., Lancet 2007. Why it is flagged: Preservative - can form benzene with vitamin C; in the Southampton colour/preservative mixtures. Decode Label treats it as a low concern in both food and personal care. It appears in 45 of the 912 published products we have analysed (4.9%).
How common is Sodium Benzoate in Indian packaged products?
Decode Label found Sodium Benzoate in 45 of 912 published products (4.9%), most often in Haircare, Skincare, Food.
Is Sodium Benzoate restricted or banned anywhere?
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (CosIng), Sodium Benzoate has 1 permitted entry. Each is shown with its annex reference and a link to the source in the Regulatory position table.
Who should be most careful with Sodium Benzoate?
Children; People prone to allergies.
Products containing Sodium Benzoate
45 published products, each with its own full analysis.
Related ingredients
Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.
Method and limits
- Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 912 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
- Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
- A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
- Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 3 November 2026.
- Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.