Sodium Benzoate
The question

Is Sodium Benzoate safe in condiments?

AvoidCondiments

Common preservative in acidic foods. When combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and exposed to heat or light, it can form benzene — an IARC Group 1 carcinogen.

What the research flags

  • Reacts with vitamin C to form benzene (IARC Group 1 carcinogen)
  • Linked to hyperactivity in children (Southampton study) when combined with artificial dyes
  • Disrupts mitochondrial DNA in animal models at higher doses
  • May deplete cellular CoA-SH

Regulatory
Forms benzene (IARC Group 1) when combined with ascorbic acid

Other condiments ingredients on file

Sources & references

  1. [1]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 17825405
  2. [2]
    RegulatoryUS federal agency — sodium-benzoate
  3. [3]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 21332368

Research disclaimer: Ratings reflect peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments available at the time of publication, not the dose or formulation of any specific condiments product. This is not medical advice.