Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E237 - Sodium formiate
Overview
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Found in 16,173 products
Found in 5 products
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Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 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 sodium formate an acid or base?
It’s the sodium salt of formic acid; in water the formate ion acts as a weak base, so its solutions are mildly basic.
Is sodium formate a strong base?
No—it's a weak base; the formate ion only hydrolyzes slightly in water (formic acid pKa ≈ 3.75).
. what is the effect on equilibrium when sodium formate is added to a solution of formic acid?
It adds the common ion (formate), shifting HA ⇌ H+ + A− to the left, suppressing dissociation and creating a buffer; the solution becomes less acidic than pure formic acid.
1l solution of .05m sodium formate. what is final ph if 12ml of 1.0m hcl is added?
About pH 4.25. Reaction converts 12 mmol formate to formic acid, leaving ~38 mmol A− and 12 mmol HA; with pKa ≈ 3.75, pH ≈ 3.75 + log(38/12) ≈ 4.25.
Determind how much formic acid and sodium formate to make buffer?
Specify the target pH and total buffer concentration, then use Henderson–Hasselbalch: [A−]/[HA] = 10^(pH − pKa). For example, at pH 4.25 with 0.10 M total buffer in 1 L, you’d need ~0.076 mol sodium formate and ~0.024 mol formic acid.