It's classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), meaning that experts consider it safe when used as intended (1, 4). It's approved internationally as a food additive and is assigned the identifying number 211. For example, it's listed as E211 in European food products (5).
Does E211 cause cancer?
While sodium benzoate is considered safe, scientists have shown that negative side effects occur when it's mixed with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Their studies indicate that it then turns into benzene, a known carcinogen that may cause cancer.
What is E211 made of?
Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, widely used as a food preservative and pickling agent. A white crystalline chemical with the formula C6H5COONa, it has an E number of E211. It can be produced by reacting sodium hydroxide with benzoic acid.
