Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E339II - Disodium phosphate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 5,690 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.
Is disodium phosphate bad for you?
Generally no—E339(ii) is an approved additive used at low levels; however, it contributes sodium and phosphate, so people with kidney disease or on phosphate‑restricted diets should limit it.
What is disodium phosphate in food?
It's the sodium salt Na2HPO4 (E339(ii)) used as an emulsifier, acidity regulator/buffer, stabilizer, sequestrant, humectant, and thickener.
What is disodium phosphate used for?
It emulsifies processed cheese, controls acidity, improves texture and moisture retention in dairy and meat products, and binds metal ions that can affect flavor and color.
Is disodium phosphate safe?
Yes—it's permitted by regulators (e.g., FDA GRAS; EU E339) and considered safe at typical food levels, though very high phosphate intakes are discouraged, especially for people with kidney problems.
What does disodium phosphate do?
It keeps mixtures smooth and stable, maintains pH, binds minerals to protect quality, and can help foods retain moisture and thickness.