Sodium Benzoate E211
Sodium Benzoate is a widely used food-grade preservative selected for microbial stability, yeast inhibition, mould control and shelf-life protection in acidic food and beverage systems. It is especially relevant where manufacturers need water solubility, consistent dosing, reliable documentation and cost-effective antimicrobial support. This page is prepared for purchasing teams, R&D technologists, QA departments and import managers who need structured technical information before requesting a quotation.
Product identity
| Product name | Sodium Benzoate |
|---|---|
| Common names | Benzoic acid sodium salt, sodium salt of benzoic acid, Sodium Benzoate E211 |
| Chemical formula | C7H5NaO2 |
| CAS number | 532-32-1 |
| E / INS number | E211 / INS 211 |
| Category | Preservatives & Antimicrobials |
| Primary function | Preservative, antimicrobial shelf-life support and acidic food protection |
| Typical appearance | White crystalline powder, granule, prill or free-flowing grade depending on supplier |
| Typical handling form | Dry ingredient for direct dosing, premixing or solution preparation |
Application fit
Sodium Benzoate is mainly evaluated in acidic products where pH, water activity, process hygiene and packaging conditions support preservative performance. Potential use areas may include:
- Carbonated soft drinks, still drinks, juice drinks and flavored beverages
- Fruit preparations, syrups, toppings, jams and fillings
- Sauces, dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise-type systems and acidic condiments
- Pickles, relishes, brines and vinegar-based products
- Confectionery fillings, dessert toppings and acidic sweet systems
- Bakery fillings, glazes and shelf-life-sensitive intermediate products where permitted
Technical overview for industrial buyers
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and is valued because it is easier to dissolve and handle than benzoic acid in many manufacturing environments. In acidic systems, benzoate equilibrium shifts toward undissociated benzoic acid, which is responsible for the main antimicrobial effect. This is why product pH is one of the most important formulation parameters when evaluating Sodium Benzoate. It is generally more effective in low-pH foods than in neutral or high-pH products.
For industrial procurement, Sodium Benzoate should be evaluated by assay, purity, solubility, particle size, moisture, appearance, odor, heavy metal limits, residual impurities, packaging quality and batch-to-batch consistency. The most suitable grade depends on the production process: beverage plants may prioritize fast dissolution and low insoluble matter, while dry-blend producers may prioritize particle size, flowability and low dusting. Importers and private-label manufacturers should also verify documentation before shipment to avoid customs delays, customer rejections or regulatory non-compliance.
Functional role in formulation
- Yeast inhibition: supports control of spoilage yeasts in acidic beverages, sauces and fruit systems.
- Mould control: helps reduce mould-related spoilage risk when used with proper formulation and hygiene.
- Acidic food preservation: performs best when the finished product pH is within the effective range for benzoic acid activity.
- Shelf-life extension: contributes to microbial stability in combination with heat treatment, sanitation and suitable packaging.
- Hurdle technology: can work alongside acidity, sugar, salt, pasteurization, sorbate, packaging and cold-chain controls.
- Water-soluble dosing: suitable for solution preparation and controlled addition in liquid processing lines.
Key buying parameters
| Grade | Food grade; confirm compliance with buyer specification and destination-market rules |
|---|---|
| Assay | Request Sodium Benzoate assay and test method on specification and COA |
| Solubility | Important for beverage, syrup, sauce and liquid dosing applications |
| Particle size | Relevant for dissolution speed, dry blending, dusting and handling behavior |
| Moisture | Low and controlled moisture supports flowability and storage stability |
| Insoluble matter | Critical for clear beverages, syrups and filtered liquid products |
| Heavy metals | Request lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium or other limits required by the destination market |
| Packaging | Commonly supplied in multiwall bags, PE-lined bags, fiber drums or palletized export packaging |
Industrial application notes
In beverage production, Sodium Benzoate is usually dissolved before addition or added under controlled agitation to ensure uniform distribution. Finished product pH, soluble solids, carbonation, pasteurization conditions, preservative combinations and packaging format all influence microbial stability. Beverage manufacturers should also evaluate the presence of ascorbic acid, transition metals, light exposure, heat history and storage conditions as part of the overall formulation review.
In sauces, dressings and condiments, Sodium Benzoate performance depends on pH, oil-water structure, salt level, sugar level, water activity, emulsifier system, heat process and filling temperature. It is often evaluated together with potassium sorbate, vinegar, citric acid or other acidulants depending on product design and local regulation. For viscous products, addition point and mixing intensity are important because poor dispersion can create preservative gradients and inconsistent microbial protection.
In fruit preparations, jams, syrups and fillings, Sodium Benzoate can support yeast and mould control, especially when combined with suitable acidity, soluble solids and hygienic processing. Manufacturers should test the ingredient in the actual finished product because fruit solids, pulp, pectin, sugar, acidity and heat treatment can influence preservative effectiveness and sensory profile.
Preservation system design
- Define the target microorganisms: yeasts, moulds, acid-tolerant bacteria or mixed spoilage flora.
- Confirm finished product pH after processing, not only theoretical formulation pH.
- Evaluate water activity, soluble solids, salt, acid type, heat process and packaging barrier.
- Validate preservative dosage against legal limits and target shelf-life requirements.
- Check compatibility with potassium sorbate, citric acid, vinegar, lactic acid or other formulation components.
- Perform challenge testing or shelf-life testing when changing supplier, dosage, process or packaging.
Process and handling considerations
- Keep bags sealed and protected from moisture, contamination and strong odors.
- Use dust-control measures during weighing, dumping and dry blending.
- Dissolve completely before addition when used in clear liquids or beverage concentrates.
- Confirm uniform distribution in viscous sauces, syrups, fruit systems and emulsions.
- Avoid uncontrolled cross-contact with non-food chemicals or incompatible materials.
- Store in a dry, clean food-ingredient warehouse with traceable lot control.
Quality control checkpoints
Food manufacturers usually review Sodium Benzoate through both chemical purity and practical production behavior. Chemical parameters confirm regulatory and specification compliance, while physical properties influence dissolution, dosing and blending. For high-volume users, supplier consistency is critical because small changes in particle size, moisture or insoluble matter can affect plant handling and finished product quality.
Typical laboratory checks
- Appearance, color, odor and foreign matter inspection
- Identification and assay as Sodium Benzoate
- Moisture or loss on drying
- Acidity or alkalinity according to specification
- Water-insoluble matter or solution clarity
- Organic impurities where required by buyer specification
- Heavy metals according to market and customer requirements
- Lot number, manufacturing date and shelf-life verification
Physical performance checks
- Particle size distribution or sieve analysis
- Dissolution speed in the buyer’s process water or syrup base
- Flowability, dusting and caking tendency
- Dry blend compatibility and premix homogeneity
- Clarity impact in beverages or transparent products
- Preservative performance in finished product shelf-life testing
- Packaging seal integrity and pallet condition
- Storage stability under local warehouse conditions
Regulatory and compliance notes
Sodium Benzoate is commonly identified as E211 or INS 211. Permitted food categories, maximum use levels, purity criteria, labeling requirements and warning statements can vary by destination market. Some markets regulate benzoates by total benzoic acid equivalent, while others specify food-category limits or combined limits when used with related preservatives. Buyers should verify the finished product category and intended use before commercial approval.
For beverage and acidic food applications, manufacturers should also review interactions with ascorbic acid, metal ions, heat, light and storage conditions as part of formula development and quality assurance. The final product should be assessed under realistic processing and distribution conditions, especially for export products exposed to long transit times, warm warehouses or variable retail storage.
Recommended documents to request
- Product specification or technical data sheet with assay, impurity and physical parameters
- Certificate of analysis for available batch or lot
- Safety data sheet where applicable
- Food-grade declaration and statement of intended food use
- Origin statement and manufacturer information where available
- Allergen, GMO, vegan, halal, kosher or animal-origin declarations when required
- Heavy metals statement and market-specific contaminant compliance where applicable
- Shelf-life, storage condition and handling recommendation
- Label draft, net weight, bag dimensions, pallet configuration and container loading estimate
- Traceability information, batch coding format and recall-support documentation
Specification information useful for quotation
For a faster and more accurate quotation, provide the target specification, required grade, annual and first-order quantity, destination country, delivery term, preferred packaging, required certifications, inspection requirements and expected shipment date. If you already purchase Sodium Benzoate, share the existing COA, product label, technical data sheet or benchmark supplier specification so equivalent options can be compared by assay, particle size, solubility, origin, documentation and logistics cost.
Packaging and logistics
Industrial Sodium Benzoate is normally quoted according to packaging type, palletization, container loading, port of loading, Incoterms and destination. Moisture protection is important because powders and granules can cake or lose flowability if exposed to humidity. Export shipments should be reviewed for bag strength, pallet wrapping, container humidity control, documentation deadlines and destination customs requirements.
Commercial evaluation criteria
- Food-grade status and documentation completeness
- Consistency of assay, moisture, particle size and insoluble matter
- Suitability for acidic beverages, sauces, fruit systems or dry blends
- Lead time, stock position and minimum order quantity
- Packaging suitability for manual, semi-automatic or automated handling
- Regulatory fit for the destination market
- Total landed cost, not only unit price
How to request this product
Send the product name, grade, reference specification, target function, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, expected shipment date and required documents. If the ingredient will be used in beverages, sauces, dressings, pickles, fruit preparations, syrups or fillings, include the application category and finished product pH so the supplier review can focus on the most relevant technical parameters.
Useful answers
What is Sodium Benzoate used for in food manufacturing?
Sodium Benzoate is used as a preservative in acidic food and beverage systems. It supports yeast inhibition, mould control and microbial stability in products such as soft drinks, fruit preparations, sauces, dressings, pickles, syrups and acidic condiments where permitted.
Why is pH important for Sodium Benzoate?
Sodium Benzoate performs best in acidic products because antimicrobial activity is linked to the formation of benzoic acid. As pH increases, preservative efficiency decreases, so finished product pH should be confirmed during development and production.
Can Sodium Benzoate be used with Potassium Sorbate?
In many acidic applications, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate are evaluated together as part of a broader preservation system. The correct combination depends on product pH, target microorganisms, legal limits, sensory impact and local regulations.
Which grade should food manufacturers request?
Food manufacturers should request food-grade Sodium Benzoate with a clear product specification, certificate of analysis, food-use declaration, impurity limits, shelf-life information, packaging details and destination-market compliance documents.
Can Global Food Additives source Sodium Benzoate?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Sodium Benzoate according to target specification, quantity, destination, packaging, certification needs and required documentation.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, food-grade declaration, origin statement, allergen statement, GMO status, heavy metal limits, shelf-life and storage information, label details and packing configuration.
Is this product permitted in every country?
No. Food additive use depends on destination-market rules, food category, use level, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Always verify local regulations before commercial use.
Tell us which food additive or ingredient you need.
Send product names, target specifications, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term, and document requirements. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from orders@foodgradeadditives.com.
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