Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E302 - Calcium ascorbate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 0 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Awareness data is not available.
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 calcium ascorbate bad for you?
No—at the small amounts used in foods it isn’t considered harmful and can provide vitamin C (and a little calcium). Very high supplemental intakes may cause stomach upset, and people prone to kidney stones or with iron overload should be cautious with high vitamin C.
What is calcium ascorbate made from?
It’s the calcium salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Industrially, ascorbic acid is made by fermenting plant-derived glucose, then neutralized with a calcium source (e.g., calcium carbonate or hydroxide) to form calcium ascorbate.
Is calcium ascorbate safe?
Yes—it's approved in the EU, US, and Australia/New Zealand and is generally recognized as safe at normal food-use levels. Excessive supplemental doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.
Is calcium ascorbate synthetic?
Usually yes: it's produced via microbial fermentation of sugars followed by chemical neutralization with calcium, rather than being extracted directly from plants.
What is calcium ascorbate used for?
It’s used as an antioxidant to slow oxidation and browning, helping preserve flavor and color (e.g., in beverages, fresh-cut produce, and meats), and to fortify foods with vitamin C (and some calcium).