Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E280 - Propionic acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 448 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 4 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.
Where does propionic acid come from?
It occurs naturally, produced by Propionibacterium in fermented foods (like Swiss-type cheeses) and in the human gut, and is also made commercially by microbial fermentation or petrochemical synthesis.
Is propionic acid a strong acid?
No—it's a weak carboxylic acid (pKa about 4.9), similar in strength to acetic acid.
What is propionic acid used for?
As a food additive (E280), it acts as a preservative that inhibits mold and some bacteria, commonly used in bread, baked goods, and cheese; its salts (e.g., calcium or sodium propionate) are also used.
How is propionic acid made?
It’s produced industrially via petrochemical routes (e.g., hydroformylation/oxidation of ethylene or hydrocarboxylation) and by fermentation using Propionibacterium on sugars or glycerol.
How to reset a sansa e280?
This question is unrelated to the food additive E280 (propionic acid); for resetting a Sansa e280 media player, please consult the device manual or the manufacturer’s support site.