Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E202 - Potassium sorbate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 23,547 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is sodium benzoate bad for you?
Generally no—it's an approved preservative with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–5 mg/kg body weight, and typical intakes are well below this. Rare sensitivities (e.g., hives/asthma-like symptoms) can occur, and in vitamin C–containing drinks exposed to heat/light it can form trace benzene, which manufacturers work to minimize.
Is sodium benzoate safe?
Yes—it's authorized by regulators (e.g., FDA, EFSA, JECFA) with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight and is GRAS in foods up to 0.1%. Those with sensitivities may wish to limit it, and beverages containing both sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid should be protected from heat/light to prevent benzene formation.
Is sodium benzoate safe for skin?
Yes—it's widely used as a cosmetic preservative at low concentrations and is considered safe by regulatory and review bodies. It may occasionally cause mild irritation or sensitization, especially on very sensitive or damaged skin.
Is sodium benzoate bad for hair?
No—at the low levels used to preserve shampoos and conditioners it does not damage hair fibers. As with many preservatives, higher concentrations can irritate the scalp, but consumer products use small amounts.
Is sodium benzoate harmful?
Not at permitted food and cosmetic levels; safety limits (e.g., ADI 0–5 mg/kg body weight) are set to prevent harm. Main concerns are rare intolerance reactions and trace benzene formation in vitamin C–containing drinks under heat/light, which industry monitors and minimizes.
Is potassium sorbate bad for you?
Generally no; potassium sorbate (E202) is a low-toxicity preservative approved by major regulators, though high concentrations can irritate and rare sensitivities occur.
Is potassium sorbate safe?
Yes—it's considered safe at permitted food levels by authorities like FDA, EFSA, and JECFA; occasional mild sensitivities have been reported.
How much potassium sorbate per gallon of mead?
Typically about 0.6–1.0 g per US gallon (≈150–250 mg/L) to inhibit refermentation; add after fermentation is complete and alongside sulfite.
How much potassium sorbate per gallon of wine?
Commonly about 0.6–1.0 g per US gallon (≈150–250 mg/L); use with sulfite and check any local limits on sorbate levels.
Is potassium sorbate gluten free?
Yes—it's a synthetic preservative and contains no gluten, so it's suitable for people with celiac disease.