Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E306 - Tocopherol-rich extract
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 5,813 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.
Are tocopherols bad for you?
No—tocopherols (E306, natural vitamin E) are considered safe at permitted food-use levels; issues mainly arise with excessive supplement doses, which can increase bleeding risk or cause mild stomach upset.
Are tocopherols safe for dogs?
Yes—mixed tocopherols are commonly used as natural preservatives in dog foods and are considered safe at those levels; avoid high-dose vitamin E supplements for pets unless advised by a veterinarian.
What are tocopherols in food?
They are vitamin E compounds (E306) extracted from vegetable oils, added as antioxidants to slow oxidation and rancidity, especially in fatty foods.
What is tocopherols in food?
In foods, “tocopherols” (E306) refers to a vitamin E–rich extract used as an antioxidant to stabilize oils and preserve flavor.
Are tocopherols safe?
Yes—E306 is generally considered safe at normal food levels (authorized in the EU and GRAS in the U.S.); risks mainly come from very high supplemental intakes.