Did you know that over 2,500 substances are intentionally added to food to modify it in some way; this can include flavor, color, stability, texture, or cost. That is a lot of substances!

One of the first chemical preservatives approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was sodium benzoate. It is an odorless, crystalline powder made by combining benzoic acid and sodium hydroxide.

Benzoic acid is found in many plants such as cinnamon, cloves, tomatoes, berries, plums, apples, and cranberries and is considered a good preservative. Sodium benzoate does not occur naturally.

You will find sodium benzoate in some sodas, bottled lemon juice, pickles, jelly, salad dressing, soy sauce, packaged foods, and personal care products such as hair products, baby wipes, toothpaste, and mouthwash. It is used as a preservative in some over-the-counter and prescription medications, particularly liquid medicines. Industrial uses include using it to deter corrosion in car engine coolants, as a stabilizer in photo processing, and to improve the strength of some types of plastics.

So what does sodium benzoate do in our food? It inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mold, and other microbes. This is especially true in acidic foods. It has also been prescribed to treat elevated ammonia levels in the blood.

Sodium benzoate has been deemed Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) in the United States and internationally. Even with GRAS status, there have been some possible health concerns with it.

Sodium benzoate does have the ability to convert to benzene which is a known carcinogen. The benzene can form in soda and other drinks that contain sodium benzoate and vitamin C. Diet sodas have been found to be prone to benzene formation.

Additional Concerns includes:

• Inflammation pathways have been activated in animal studies which included promoting cancer development
• Possible link to ADHD
• Allergic reaction in a small percentage of people
• Appetite control has been discovered in mouse studies. It can decrease the release of leptin; leptin regulates body weight and is often called the “satiety hormone”
• The most significant concern is the link of sodium benzoate to DNA damage and gene mutation

Sodium benzoate is allowed up to 0.1% in food, and it is best suitable for foods and beverages that are naturally in a pH range below 4.5 which are acidic foods. Even though this product is considered GRAS, I would encourage individuals to limit or eliminate it from the diet. 

Other posts in the “What is in Your Food?” series include: Carrageenan, Gaur Gum, and Xanthum Gum. We won’t be looking at all 2,500 substances added to our food as that could take a very long time!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Heather

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