Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E435 - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 16,173 products
Found in 5,912 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 3 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 polysorbate 60 safe to eat?
Yes—polysorbate 60 (E435) is approved as a food additive and considered safe at permitted levels; regulators have set an acceptable daily intake and typical exposure is well below it.
Is polysorbate 60 toxic?
It isn’t considered toxic at food-use levels; very high doses in studies can cause gastrointestinal effects, and rare hypersensitivity reactions are mostly linked to medical (injectable) use rather than foods.
Is polysorbate 60 bad for you?
For most people, no—consumption within regulatory limits isn’t associated with harm, though those avoiding synthetic emulsifiers or who are sensitive may choose to limit it.
Is polysorbate 60 a dye?
No—it's an emulsifier and stabiliser used to help oil and water mix and improve texture, not a colorant.
Is polysorbate 60 natural?
No—it’s a synthetic emulsifier made by reacting sorbitan and stearic acid with ethylene oxide; the stearic acid can be from plant or animal sources.