Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E281 - Sodium propionate
Overview
Synonyms
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Found in 16,173 products
Found in 2,565 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 sodium propionate bad for you?
Generally no: it’s a permitted preservative (GRAS in the U.S.; approved in the EU) with low toxicity at typical food levels. High amounts may cause stomach upset and add sodium, and people with the rare disorder propionic acidemia may need to limit it.
"what is the ph of a 0.26 m solution of sodium propionate"?
About pH 9.1 at 25°C (it’s the salt of a weak acid, so its solution is mildly basic).
5. sodium acetate and sodium propionate are poor soaps. why?
Because they’re salts of very short‑chain fatty acids (C2 and C3), they’re too water‑soluble to act as effective surfactants and don’t form stable micelles, so they clean and foam poorly.
How do sodium benzoate and sodium propionate keep yeast and fungus from growing?
They act as weak‑acid preservatives: in acidic foods the undissociated acid enters cells, acidifies the cytoplasm, and disrupts energy metabolism and enzyme function, inhibiting yeasts and molds. Benzoate works best below about pH 4.5; propionate is especially effective against molds in baked goods at mildly acidic pH.
How much sodium propionate in baking?
Typically about 0.1–0.3% of flour weight (≈1–3 g per kg flour) under good manufacturing practice to inhibit mold; higher levels can affect yeast activity and flavor. Check local regulations for permitted maxima.