Why Using Sodium Benzoate in Food Makes Sense for Sour Dishes

Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and readily converts back to that acid when exposed to water.  Benzoic acid is a wholly natural product, found in numerous fruits and vegetables, seafood, and even milk!  Fundamentally, benzoic acid is one of nature’s own preservatives, and sodium benzoate is basically just a portable form of it that’s easily added to packaged foods.

Sodium benzoate is also considered entirely safe to consume, as long as it’s within recommended levels as enforced by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as well as similar bodies around the world.

Sodium benzoate’s best attribute as a preservative is that it’s an anti-fungal, preventing preserved foods from becoming infected with fungus spores that could potentially make people sick.  Its high level of acidity also allows it to create a generally inhospitable environment for other microorganisms as well.

Like all acidic substances, sodium benzoate has a noticeably sharp and bitter flavor, with some salty undertones as well.  This means it isn’t the best choice for all-purpose preservation, but it’s perfect for dishes that are already sour, bitter, or salty.  It also pairs well with many hot sauces and other sources of capsaicin heat, which also tend to be sour or bitter.  In these cases, it doesn’t merely protect the food from infestation, it also enhances the taste!

Just a few of the packaged foods which frequently utilize sodium benzoate include:

• Vinegar-based salad dressings
• Soy sauce and other fermented sauces
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Pickles
• Acidic fruit preserves
• Fruit juices 
• Sodas
• Soured milk products
• Cheeses
• Ketchup, mustard, and similar condiments

In short, sodium benzoate in food is excellent for preserving and enhancing almost any food which is already somewhat bitter, sour, or acidic.

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Sodium benzoate is one of these controversial substances.  While numerous studies and government safety bureaus have declared sodium benzoate in food to be safe, it none the less attracts some critical attention.  Why is that?  We have a quick breakdown.

What Is Sodium Benzoate?

Sodium benzoate is a salt-like preservative, made from sodium and benzoic acid, which has been used in numerous food products for decades.  It has a slightly tart, bitter flavor – due to the acid – and is, therefore, most successful as a preservative in foods that are already a bit tart or bitter.

You will find sodium benzoate in soft drinks, cider, salted products like margarine, salad dressings, fruit jams & jellies, pre-prepared vegetable salads, and many more.  It is one of the most common preservatives in common use.

Is Sodium Benzoate in food safe?

Yes.  Sodium benzoate itself is completely safe.  It is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the American Food and Drug Administration, as well as receiving similar ratings from other governmental food regulation bodies around the world.  When used in recommended quantities, it poses no direct health risk.

Why do some sources say that sodium benzoate is dangerous?

The issue is not what sodium benzoate is; it’s what sodium benzoate can become.

When sodium benzoate is in the presence of ascorbic acid – that is, vitamin C – the chemicals may interact and create benzene.  Benzene is recognized as a carcinogen and is particularly known for attacking bone marrow.

This wouldn’t be an issue, except that during the 90s-00s, certain soft drinks were found to contain enough ascorbic acid to cause this reaction with sodium benzoate.  When the matter was uncovered, the manufacturers of these drinks – of course – reformulated them to remove the risk.  However, some damage was done to the reputation of sodium benzoate in the process.

Today, any reputable food manufacturer takes pains to ensure it does not come into contact with ascorbic acid.

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In this article, we’ll cover what sodium benzoate is, where it comes from, its uses, and any potential health issues that might arise from overuse.

1. The Basics of Sodium Benzoate 

Sodium benzoate is an odorless white power, created by combining benzoic acid with sodium hydroxide (lye).  Sodium benzoate is not naturally occurring and must be created in a lab, although its primary ingredient – benzoic acid – is natural.  This acid can be found in many commonplace plants, such as tomatoes, cloves, cinnamon, apples, and cranberries.  It is also produced as a byproduct of some fermenting processes, such as the creation of yogurt.

Benzoic acid is already a good preservative on its own.  The addition of sodium hydroxide makes it more readily soluble, and therefore easier to use in a wider variety of products.

1. Uses of Sodium Benzoate 

Sodium benzoate was among the first artificial preservatives approved by the FDA and is therefore used widely throughout the food and beverage industry.  It actively inhibits the growth of molds and bacteria, allowing for significantly extended shelf lives for treated products.

Being based in an acid, the preservative does have a noticeable sharp flavor.  Therefore, it is most commonly used in products which are themselves acidic or salty, such as sodas, citric juices, pickles, salad dressing, and soy sauce.

Sodium benzoate also sees significant use in the health and beauty industries.  It is commonly used as a preservative for liquid medications, such as cough syrup, and is also utilized in a wide variety of cosmetics.

III. Potential Health Issues from Sodium Benzoate

While sodium benzoate itself is harmless, in certain circumstances it can convert into benzene, which is known to be a carcinogen.  This is most likely to happen when in the presence of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).  However, the process is inhibited when sugars are present, so the biggest danger is from diet sodas and fruit juices.  The industry generally avoids using sodium benzoate in diet/sugar-free drinks for this reason.

Otherwise, sodium benzoate is considered entirely safe when used in proper quantities.

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Sodium benzoate is not naturally occurring, although the key component benzoic acid is found in a wide variety of plants including cloves, tomatoes, and cranberries.  Benzoic acid can be used as a preservative on its own, but the addition of sodium hydroxide allows it to more easily dissolve into foods and liquids.

Common Uses of Sodium Benzoate in Food Product

Sodium benzoate is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe, and FDA regulations allow up to a .1% concentration by weight when used in foods.

Sodium benzoate acts as a bacteriostatic and fungistatic preservative.  That is, it does not kill bacteria or fungus already present, but it does inhibit their growth and reproduction.  For products which are pasteurized or otherwise sterilized, this is generally sufficient to prevent contamination.

It is most effective, and therefore most commonly used, within acidic environments.  Sodium benzoate is most often found in products such as soy sauce, sodas, pickles, salad dressing, and many other types of food or drink which are already acidic or “tangy.”  This also helps cover up the similarly acidic taste of the sodium benzoate.

Sodium benzoate is also often used as a preservative in liquid medicines, such as cough syrup.  It may also be found in non-consumable cosmetic items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and many types of hair care product.

The Health Implications of Sodium Benzoate 

In the medical field, sodium benzoate is used to treat elevated levels of ammonia in the blood, as it breaks down ammonia quickly.  There is also ongoing research into its use in treating a variety of mental disorders, such as panic attacks, although research thus far has not been conclusive.

There is mild concern that sodium benzoate may be linked to cancer, as it can break down into benzene – a known carcinogen.  However, the amount of benzene likely to be found in any product containing sodium benzoate is small, and the FDA has found such trace amounts are not directly harmful to human health.

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As one of the leading food additives and preservatives providers, the professionals from FBC Industries has outfitted a host of their clients with sodium benzoate products. Here, they’ve collected some insight into how it’s used, so let’s take a look.

Food Preservation

Sodium benzoate helps preserve food by balancing the pH level at the cellular level. Its anti-fungal properties also prevent harmful bacteria from invading food products and making consumers sick. By balancing and lowering pH levels, sodium benzoate increases acidity and eliminates environments in which fungal activity will thrive.

Acid Food Flavor Enhancement

It might seem unlikely, but some foods will actually taste much better with enhanced acidity. Sodium benzoate is often added to foods that are already acidic to enhance their flavor. Often these are foods such as pickles, sauces, jams, and juices, as well as things that contain high levels of vinegar.

Soft Drink Flavor Enhancement

One of the most common uses for sodium benzoate in the commercial food industry is as an additive to soft drinks. The compound increases their flavor by enhancing the taste of the high-fructose corn syrup often present in such drinks. It also increases the acidity and intensifies the flavor of carbonated soft drinks.

Other Uses for Sodium Benzoate

In addition to its uses throughout the commercial food industry, sodium benzoate is also used as an ingredient for a variety of other purposes, everything from alcohol-based mouthwashes to the component in fireworks that creates their signature whistling sound. It’s also used to prevent fermentation in wines and as a pet food ingredient, although only in very small doses. Much like its used to keep food from spoiling, sodium benzoate is also an ingredient in skin creams and cosmetics, keeping them fresh for use.

FBC Industries carries sodium benzoate and other important food additives

There is a wide range of uses for sodium benzoate, so contact FBC Industries today for additional information. You can also visit us online to learn more about our quality standards and products.

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