E211Preservative
What Is E211? Sodium Benzoate and Where It Is Used
Also known as: Sodium salt of benzoic acid
E211 is the additive number of sodium benzoate, a preservative that slows yeasts, moulds and some bacteria in acidic foods. It is common in sodas, colas, sauces and prepared seafood.
- In the Besin database
- 382 products
- About 3.3 in every 100 products
- Source
- Synthetic
- Acceptable daily intake (ADI)
- 5 mg/kg body weight per day (as benzoic acid, shared by E210–E213)
What does E211 do?
It works best in acidic foods, so it extends the shelf life of soft drinks, flavoured mineral waters, sauces, pickles and marinated products.
How is it made?
Made by neutralising benzoic acid (E210) with sodium hydroxide. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in some fruits and cinnamon but is made by chemical synthesis for industry.
Vegan and halal: No animal raw material is used; it suits vegan and vegetarian diets.
Which products contain E211?
382 of the 11,663 packaged products in the Besin database list E211 (Sodium benzoate) in their ingredients. The categories where it appears most often:
- Soda51 products
- Hot Sauce26 products
- Flavored Mineral Water25 products
- Cola19 products
- Prepared Seafood17 products
- Sandwiches16 products
Numbers as of the database snapshot of October 18, 2026.
Official evaluation
EFSA re-evaluated benzoic acid and its salts (E210–E213) in 2016 and set a group ADI of 5 mg per kilogram per day, expressed as benzoic acid. It found no concern for genotoxicity or carcinogenicity.
Food additives are regulated by the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693). The ADI is the amount estimated to be safe to take every day over a lifetime, given per kilogram of body weight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between E211 and E202?
Both are preservatives. Sodium benzoate (E211) is used mostly in acidic drinks and sauces, potassium sorbate (E202) against moulds and yeasts in a wider range of products; some products contain both.
Is E211 natural?
Benzoic acid occurs naturally in some fruits and cinnamon, but the sodium benzoate used in food is made by chemical synthesis.
Which products contain E211 most often?
In the Besin database it appears most often in sodas, hot sauces, flavoured mineral waters, colas and prepared seafood.
Related additives
Sources
- EFSA (2016): Re-evaluation of benzoic acid and its salts (E210–E213)
- the EU food additives regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and, in Türkiye, the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives (Official Gazette, 30.06.2013, No. 28693)
Last reviewed: . This page is for information only and is not medical advice. To report a mistake, write to iletisim@besin.app.