E211 Sodium benzoate

Reason

Sodium benzoate (E211) is a Halal synthetic preservative widely used in acidic foods, permissible due to its chemical origin and lack of animal-derived components.

About E211

Number range

E200–E299: preservatives

Origin

Synthetic. It is chemically manufactured by neutralizing benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide. While benzoic acid occurs naturally in some fruits (e.g., berries), the commercial additive is produced synthetically and does not involve animal-derived raw materials.

Used in

• Carbonated beverages
• Fruit juices
• Salad dressings
• Sauces
• Pickles
• Jams
• Acidic foods

What official sources say

• A 2007 trial carried out at the University of Southampton, funded by the UK Food Standards Agency and published in The Lancet, tested mixtures of artificial colours and the preservative sodium benzoate on 153 three-year-olds and 144 eight-to-nine-year-olds from the general population. The UK Committee on Toxicity concluded that the study provided supporting evidence suggesting that certain mixtures of these additives are associated with an increase in hyperactivity in children from the general population.

  Official position Committee on Toxicity (UK): Statement on research project T07040, September 2007

• EFSA reviewed the study in March 2008 and concluded that it provided limited evidence that the mixtures of additives had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children, and that the findings could not be used as a basis for changing the acceptable daily intakes.

  Official position European Food Safety Authority: EFSA evaluates Southampton study on food additives and child behaviour, 14 March 2008

Safety evaluation

European Food Safety Authority: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of benzoic acid (E 210), sodium benzoate (E 211), potassium benzoate (E 212) and calcium benzoate (E 213) as food additives (2016).