Comparing E300 - Ascorbic acid vs E211 - Sodium benzoate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 3,523 products
Found in 16,173 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 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 ascorbic acid bad for you?
No—ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is considered safe at typical food levels and is essential for health; it’s GRAS in the U.S. and approved in the EU. Very high supplemental doses can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in susceptible people, increase kidney stone risk.
Can dogs have ascorbic acid?
Yes, small amounts in foods are safe, but dogs synthesize their own vitamin C and usually don’t need supplements. High doses may cause diarrhea, so consult a veterinarian before supplementing.
What is ascorbic acid made from?
Commercial ascorbic acid is typically made from glucose (often derived from corn, wheat, or cassava) that’s converted via microbial fermentation and chemical steps into L‑ascorbic acid.
How is ascorbic acid made?
Industrially, D‑glucose is converted to 2‑keto‑L‑gulonic acid by fermentation (or via the older Reichstein process: glucose → sorbitol → L‑sorbose → 2‑KGA) and then chemically cyclized to ascorbic acid. Modern methods use two-step fermentation to improve efficiency.
Is ascorbic acid the same as citric acid?
No—ascorbic acid (E300) is vitamin C and an antioxidant, while citric acid (E330) is a different compound mainly used as an acidulant and does not provide vitamin C.
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.