Sodium benzoate: Difference between revisions

Sodium benzoate is a [[food preservation|preservative]]. As a food additive, sodium benzoate has the [[E number]] E211. It is [[bacteriostatic agent|bacteriostatic]] and [[fungistatic]] under acidic conditions. It is most widely used in acidic foods such as salad dressings ([[vinegar]]), carbonated drinks ([[carbonic acid]]), jams and fruit juices ([[citric acid]]), [[pickling|pickles]] ([[vinegar]]), and [[condiment]]s. It is also used as a preservative in medicines and cosmetics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=49779 |title=Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database &#124; Environmental Working Group |publisher=Cosmeticsdatabase.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20(General%20Monographs-%20R)/ROBITUSSIN.html |title=Sodium benzoate in Robitussin cough |publisher=Rxmed.com |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> Concentration as a food preservative is limited by the FDA in the U.S. to 0.1% by weight.<ref>[http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1733 CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21]</ref> Sodium benzoate is also allowed as an animal food additive at up to 0.1%, according to [[AFCO]]'s official publication.<ref>{{cite journal | author=AFCO | title=Official Publication | year=2004 | page=262}}</ref>