How It's Made
Key facts
- Name on labels (INCI)
- Sodium Benzoate (E211)
- Also called
- E211, Benzoate of soda, Sodium salt of benzoic acid
- CAS number
- 532-32-1 source
- E number
- E211
- Grade to ask for
- Food grade E211, ≥ 99%
A white powder made from benzoic acid. Known on drinks labels as E211.
What it does
- Antimicrobial preservative
- In acidic conditions it converts partly to benzoic acid, which inhibits yeasts and moulds.
- Shelf-life extension after opening
- Protects drinks and cosmetics that are opened and used over time.
Products on How It's Made that use sodium benzoate
| Product | Its role there |
|---|---|
| Foaming cleanser | Preservative. Preserves the product, working best at the slightly acidic pH of the cleanser. |
| Body wash | Preservative. Preserves the water-based product. It works best in the slightly acidic pH range body washes are made at. |
| Cola | Preservative. Prevents yeasts and moulds growing in the drink. |
| Energy drink | Preservative. A preservative against yeasts and moulds, which works well at the drink's low pH. |
| Orange fruit drink | Preservative. Prevents yeasts and moulds in the acidic drink, especially after opening. |
| Orange squash | Preservative. A preservative against yeasts and moulds, effective at the syrup's low pH. |
| Lemon-lime soda | Preservative. Protects the drink against yeasts and moulds, working well at its low pH. |
| Pineapple drink | Preservative. A preservative against yeasts and moulds once the pack is opened. |
| Cough syrup | Preservative. |
On How It's Made, sodium benzoate preserves cola, energy drink, orange fruit drink, squash, cough syrup, body wash and foaming cleanser.
Grades and specifications
- Food grade (E211)
- Meets food-additive purity specifications; the grade drinks and food makers buy.
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades
- Higher-purity grades with pharmacopoeia certificates for medicines and personal care.
Handling, safety and regulation
It is handled as a fine powder with dust control. In drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), formulators control conditions because the combination can form small amounts of benzene under heat and light; many brands manage this through formulation and storage.
A permitted preservative (INS 211) in the Codex General Standard for Food Additives, with maximum levels set by food category. Cosmetic use is limited by concentration in major markets. Finished products in Nigeria need NAFDAC registration.
Where sodium benzoate comes from
Sodium benzoate is made by neutralising benzoic acid, itself produced from toluene, with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. Production is concentrated in large chemical producers, mainly in Asia, and it reaches West Africa in 25 kg bags.
Sourcing sodium benzoate through Matta
Send Matta a request with the grade, quantity and delivery location you need. For the wider category, see Matta's ingredients page.
Listings found on matta.trade, read 15 Oct 2026. Prices are a snapshot, not live; the listing is always the final word. Different suppliers and grades: compare prices only where the unit matches.
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