Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E290 - Carbon dioxide
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 983 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 6 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.
How to treat low carbon dioxide in blood?
Low CO2 (bicarbonate) on a blood test reflects an acid-base imbalance, so treatment targets the underlying cause—such as correcting metabolic acidosis, adjusting ventilation, or managing kidney issues—under medical supervision. Drinking carbonated beverages or ingesting E290 does not correct it.
Is carbon dioxide a compound?
Yes—CO2 is a chemical compound consisting of one carbon atom covalently bonded to two oxygen atoms.
Is carbon dioxide a pure substance?
Pure CO2 is a single chemical substance. Food-grade E290 is highly purified CO2 that meets strict identity and impurity limits before it is used in beverages or modified-atmosphere packaging.
Is carbon dioxide bad for you?
At typical levels in foods and carbonated drinks, CO2 is considered safe; it is permitted as E290 in the EU and GRAS in the U.S. Hazards arise from breathing very high concentrations (which can displace oxygen) or improper handling of liquid CO2 or dry ice.
Where does carbon dioxide come from?
Suppliers capture CO2 from natural wells, fermentation (e.g., breweries, bioethanol plants), or industrial off-gases, then purify, liquefy, and repackage it for food-grade uses like carbonation and protective atmospheres.