A preservative effective against yeast, mould, and some bacteria in acidic conditions (typically below pH 4.5), most commonly used in carbonated soft drinks, juices, and condiments.

Physical state

Powder

Solubility

Freely soluble in water

Odour

Odourless

Typical usage level

0.03-0.1% of finished product weight

Regulatory overview

EU and US regulatory context

EU Context

Regulation: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; purity criteria under Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
E-number: E211
Status: Authorised food additive
Key standard: Confirm current Ph. Eur. / FCC monograph specification with the supplier.

US Context

FDA status: GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
CFR reference: Pending. Confirm exact citation before publishing to a client-facing document.
Common declaration: Sodium Benzoate
Notes: Pending

Functions & applications

Antimicrobial preservative

Technical function	What it does
mould, yeast, and some bacteria inhibition in acidic conditions	Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity below approximately pH 4.5.

Recommended applications

Beverages (acidic)

Antimicrobial preservative

Sauces & dressings

Antimicrobial preservative

Pickled products

Antimicrobial preservative

Specifications

Technical specification

Appearance	White crystalline powder or granules
Colour	White crystalline powder or granules
Odour	Odourless
Solubility	Freely soluble in water
Moisture	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Assay	Min. 99.0%
pH	Pending
Lead (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Arsenic (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Cadmium (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Mercury (heavy metals)	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Total plate count	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Salmonella	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
E. coli	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Yeast & mould	Pending. Confirm against the current supplier CoA.
Packaging	25kg multiwall paper bags with PE liner, on ISPM-15 treated pallets
Shelf life	24 months from production date, unopened
Storage	Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Values marked "Pending" require confirmation against the current supplier CoA before being issued to a client.

Compliance

Legal & compliance notes

Allergen status: Does not contain any of the 14 major EU allergens.
GMO status: Produced synthetically; not applicable to GMO status.
Irradiation: Not irradiated.
Halal / Kosher: Typically available. Confirm certification with the specific supplier.

Combination with ascorbic acid (E300) can form trace benzene under certain conditions. Formulation review recommended.
Critical QC checkpoints: Assay, Heavy metals, Chlorinated compounds.

CN code (8-digit)	Pending
TARIC (10-digit)	Pending
EU import duty	Pending
Anti-dumping measure	None on file

Sodium Benzoate

EU and US regulatory context

Antimicrobial preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Preservatives

Sodium Benzoate

EU and US regulatory context

Antimicrobial preservative

Recommended applications

Technical specification

Legal & compliance notes

Import classification data

Also in Preservatives

Potassium Sorbate

Sorbic Acid

Sodium Metabisulphite